human
Jo--comrade--are you safe?
gpt
Yes, and you? Oh, David! she spoke his name hesitatingly,
human
David, where did you go?
gpt
I was hurt a little. I lost consciousness.
human
Hurt, David?
gpt
Not seriously, but that is why I couldn't come back. I was carried to a hospital.
human
David!
gpt
And you--I came back to the study for you. You were gone.
human
We were hidden. There is a secret room where we stayed until daylight.
gpt
Then it was----
human
The priest. Sorez was so weak and frightened.
gpt
He came for the image?
human
Yes, but he did not get it. Was it he who--who hurt you, David?
gpt
It must have been. It was just as I came into the study.
human
And he carried you out?
gpt
Because he thought the house empty, I guess, and feared I was hurt worse than I was.
human
And you really are not badly hurt?
gpt
Not badly.
human
But how much--in what way?
gpt
Just a blow on the head. Please not to think about it.
human
I have thought so many horrible things.
gpt
Where are you now?
human
Mr. Sorez did not dare to stay there. He really is much stronger, and so he came here to a friend's. I did not dare to let him come alone.
gpt
But you aren't going to stay there. What are you going to do now?
human
I can't tell, David. My head is in such a whirl.
gpt
You ought to go back home,
human
Home? My home is with my father, and nowhere else.
gpt
I want to see you.
human
And I want to see you, David, but----
gpt
I'm coming out there now.
human
No! no! not yet, David.
gpt
Why not?
human
Because----
gpt
Why not? I must see you.
human
Because, she said, as though with sudden determination,
gpt
I'll not disturb you in that. I just wish to see you.
human
But you would disturb me.
gpt
How?
human
I can't tell you.
gpt
David, I may go away a long distance.
human
Where?
gpt
I can't tell you now, but I may go at once. This--this may be the last time I can talk with you for--oh, for months.
human
What do you mean by that? What has happened?
gpt
I have promised not to tell.
human
But you must, girl. Why--you--this man Sorez has no right to exact promises from you. He----
gpt
You don't understand, David. It--it has to do with my father and with--with what I saw.
human
In that cursed image?
gpt
Yes, the image. But it is not cursed, David.
human
It is--it is if it takes you away.
gpt
You see, she trembled,
human
But I don't see. I think you ought--you must----
gpt
Must, David?
human
No--not that. I suppose I haven't the right, only--well, it sort of takes my breath away, you see, to think of your going off--out of my life again.
gpt
It's odd that you should mind--I've been in it so short a time.
human
You've been in it for years, he ran on impulsively.
gpt
You've been in it ever since I learned to look between the stars and found you there.
human
David.
gpt
Yes.
human
I have a feeling that I may come back into it again.
gpt
You'll never go out of it. I'll not let you. I'll----
human
Don't be foolish, David. And now I must go. But, David--are you listening, David?
gpt
Yes.
human
Don't try to find me. Don't try to see me. I'm safe, but if I should need you, I'll send for you. Will you come?
gpt
To the ends of the earth.
human
You must not ring me up again. But before I go away, if I do go away, I'll write to you and tell you where. I will write you in care of the General Delivery, Boston--will that reach you?
gpt
Yes, but----
human
That is all, David. That _must_ be all now, for I must go. Good-bye.
gpt
Jo--comrade!
human
Good-bye.
gpt
Just a minute, I----
human
Good-bye,