human
What is the matter, Mr. Sayre?
gpt
Why, _that's_ funny! he said;
human
Yes, I know your name.
gpt
Could--would--should--might----
human
What?
gpt
M-might I--would it be--could you----
human
Are you trying to ask me what is _my_ name?
gpt
Yes, he said;
human
No, she said,
gpt
I knew you were embarrassed. It wasn't nice of me. But, and her face grew grave,
human
Why?
gpt
Because we shall not meet again.
human
Won't you ever let me--give me a chance--because--you know, somehow--seeing you yesterday--and to-day--this way----
gpt
Yes, I know what you mean.
human
Do you?
gpt
Yes. _I_ came back, too,
human
You came--came----
gpt
Yes. I should not have done it, because I saw you perfectly plainly yesterday. But--somehow I hoped--somehow----
human
What!
gpt
That there had been a mistake.
human
You thought you knew me?
gpt
Oh, no. I knew perfectly well I had never before seen you. That made no difference. It wasn't that. But I thought--hoped--I had made a mistake. In fact, she said, with a slight effort,
human
I was dishonest with myself. I knew all the time that it was useless. And as soon as I saw you with your cap off----
gpt
W-what!
human
I am sorry, she said.
gpt
Of course, you do not understand what I am saying; and I can not explain. . . . And I think I had--better--go.
human
Please don't.
gpt
That is an added reason for my going.
human
What is?
gpt
Your saying 'please don't.'
human
Somehow, he said,
gpt
I meant you to hear it. I could have moved without a sound.
human
And, looking up, I see the most beautif--I see--you. Then I dream of you.
gpt
Every moment--between mosquitoes! And then to-day I returned, hoping.
human
Hoping--what?
gpt
T-t-to s-s-see you,
human
I _must_ go, she said under her breath, almost hurriedly;
gpt
Won't you--can't you--couldn't I----
human
No. No--no--no--Mr. Sayre.
gpt
I've simply got to see you again. I know what I'm asking--saying--hoping--wishing--isn't usual--conventional--advisable, b-b-but I can't help it.
human
There is no use, she said.
gpt
It is perfectly horrid of me to have come back. I somehow was afraid--from the expression of your face yesterday----
human
Afraid of what?
gpt
Afraid that you might wish to see me again. . . . Because I felt the same way.
human
Do you mean, he cried,
gpt
Oh, I know it, Mr. Sayre. I know it. I have no business here; I _must_ not remain----
human
If you go, you know I'll do some absurd thing--like poking my head under water and holding it there, or walking backward off that ledge. Do you know--if you should suddenly go away now, and if that ended it----
gpt
Ended--what?
human
You know,