human
You wished to see me?
gpt
Miss Sallie Ladue? he asked in return. Sally's hand went to her heart involuntarily; her mother's trick, exactly. The man seemed to be smiling, although Sally could not see that, either.
human
I want to make sure. It is sometime since--
gpt
Turn around to the light, so that I can see your face,
human
My face may be a trifle the worse for wear since you have seen me, he remarked airily.
gpt
A trifle the worse for wear; which yours is not. Has anybody ever told you, Sally, that you have become a lovely woman? Or wouldn't you care for that tribute?
human
We will not discuss my appearance, if you please. Sally's voice was still hard and cold; like steel. She came around in front of him and scrutinized his face closely. There could be no possible doubt.
gpt
Well, father?
human
You don't seem glad to see me, Sally. After an absence of--er--a hundred years or so, one would think that you might be. But, I repeat, you don't seem glad to see me.
gpt
No, said Sally quietly.
human
I'm not.
gpt
Truthful as ever, I see. Wouldn't it be better to mask the truth a little, when it must be as disagreeable as it is now? To draw even a thin veil over it, so that it can be perceived dimly--dimly if unmistakably?
human
I see no object in it. What is your purpose in seeing me now? I do not doubt that you have a purpose. What is it?
gpt
Aren't you curious to know how I found out your whereabouts?
human
I am not interested in that. Tell me your purpose.
gpt
What other purpose could I have than to see my daughter after so many years? Is it permitted, my dear Sally, to ask after the health of your mother?
human
She is well; as well as can be expected. It is not your fault that she did not die years ago. She was four years getting over that trouble of hers. You laughed at her headaches, you remember. She was four years in Doctor Galen's sanitarium.
gpt
A little misunderstanding, Sally, which I greatly regret. But four years of Doctor Galen! How did you manage to pay him?
human
That, replied Sally,
gpt
Ah, true. It is not any concern of mine. But is it not possible to see your mother? She is still my wife, I presume, and you are still my daughter.
human
She is still your wife and I am your daughter. But you shall not see her if I can prevent it.
gpt
And--I gather from the tenor of your remarks that you would resist any attempt at--er--reuniting a family long separated by circumstances.
human
I am of age. As to my mother, I should resist. No court would compel it.
gpt
Ah, he said, smiling,
human
I beg your pardon, he said hastily. The two were standing, and he had not recognized Sally. But an instant's gaze was enough.
gpt
Sally! he exclaimed. He looked at the man. A wave of red rushed into his face.
human
Charlie! he cried involuntarily. Then he recovered.
gpt
What are you doing here? What do you mean by coming to see my sister?