human
It is hard!
gpt
It is more than hard, she murmured.
human
It is thoughtless.
gpt
We must find another hermitage, my dear one.
human
Why should we be driven out of the place we have made our home? she cried, yielding suddenly to the overwhelming demand for a confidant.
gpt
My mother has the wide world to choose from. Why should she settle in Pont Aven? I am sorry for her, and she is very lovable and gracious; but no power on earth can part you and me, Dad. Oh, I have been so miserable during these wretched days! I have had the wildest, maddest thoughts. If only she had not made a new life so impossible! She, my mother, another man's wife!
human
We need not contemplate heroic measures today, at any rate, he soothed her.
gpt
Mrs. Carmac's present mood supplies no warranty of her actions next week or next month. Though she may seem to have recovered from the strain of the wreck, probably she is still very shaken and low-spirited. That phase will pass. She has many interests elsewhere--and few here. Moreover, you know me too well to believe that I would forbid you ever to hear from or see her again. That would be foolish, criminal. You are a grown woman now, Yvonne. Life has revealed some of its riddles, bared some of its brutal crudities. I can never forget, strive as I might, that you have met your mother. Let us bide a wee, Sweetheart. Let us wait till you and your mother have discussed an awkward situation openly. I gathered from your letters that she is saddened and disillusioned, and I shall be slow to believe that she really contemplates a permanent residence in Pont Aven. She and I cannot dwell in the same small village. If she stays, I go. Why, then, should she wish to bury herself alive here?
human
I'm so glad I brought you back, Dad, she said more cheerfully.
gpt
It is such a relief to hear you tackling a problem that has nearly driven me crazy. You see, I had no one to talk to. I couldn't confide in Lorry; though I imagine he guesses the truth----
human
Why do you think that?
gpt
It seems that some days ago he overheard a conversation between Captain Popple and Mr. Raymond, Mr. Carmac's secretary, the man whose arm was injured. He was writing in the old dining room at Julia's, and heard voices outside. At first he paid no heed; but some reference to an attempt at salvage on the wreck appeared to upset Mr. Raymond very considerably. Then, when Mr. Raymond became calmer, he led the talk round to us--to our history, I mean. Some lady had given Captain Popple certain details picked up from village gossips. The captain--quite innocently, Lorry thought--corrected a silly story which Mr. Raymond had got from Peridot, and Mr. Raymond grew quite excited. Lorry has seen Peridot, and finds that Mr. Raymond actually went to his cottage and questioned him--about us. Peridot told him some outrageous fibs----
human
He would,
gpt
Well, Lorry is such a loyal soul that he didn't hesitate to warn Mr. Raymond very plainly that he must mind his own business.
human
Exactly what one might expect from Lorry too.
gpt
I don't attach much weight to Mr. Raymond's prying, nor does Mrs. Carmac. I told her. Was that right?
human
Quite right.
gpt
But I couldn't help seeing that Lorry must have formed some theory of his own, or he would never have interfered.
human
If Lorry were our only bugbear, our troubles would be light. Have you met this Raymond?
gpt
Oh, yes. Often. He comes to Mrs. Carmac daily for orders; though she or I have to write letters and telegrams, as he can only print laboriously with his left hand.
human
Have you seen a good deal of Rupert Fosdyke?