human
It is an error, he said,
gpt
It is easy to ask questions and to generalize,
human
Shall I come down to particulars and deal in facts?
gpt
If you care to do so.
human
I have some facts--very sad and sorrowful ones. You may or may not know them--at least not all. But you should know them, Mr. Birtwell.
gpt
You half frighten me, Mr. Elliott. What are you driving at?
human
I need not refer, said the clergyman,
gpt
Happily, continued Mr. Elliott,
human
Mr. Ridley has risen from his fall, and now stands firmer, I trust, than ever, and farther away from the reach of temptation, resting not in human but in divine strength. Archie is in heaven, where before many days his mother will join him.
gpt
Why are you saying this? demanded Mr. Birtwell.
human
You are going too far.
gpt
I say it as leading to something more, replied the clergyman.
human
If there had been no more bitter fruit than this, no more lives sacrificed, it would have been sad enough. But--
gpt
Sir, you are trifling, exclaimed Mr. Birtwell, starting from his chair.
human
I cannot admit your right to talk to me in this way.
gpt
Be calm, my dear sir, answered Mr. Elliott, laying his hand upon his companion.
human
I am not trifling with you. As your warm personal friend as well as your spiritual counselor, I am here to-night to give a solemn admonition, and I can best do this through the communication of facts--facts that stand on record for ever unchangeable whether you know them or not. Better that you should know them.
gpt
You remember General Abercrombie?
human
Yes.
gpt
Do you know what has become of him?
human
No. I heard something about his having been dismissed from the army.
gpt
Did you hear the cause?
human
It was drunkenness, I believe.