human
Oh, Jimmie, she said, resting tiredly against him,
gpt
I needed you so! Where have you been?
human
Oh, just around.
gpt
She had crawled under the bed, Jimmie, said Augusta choking,
human
No, dearest, no, said Jimmie, holding her quiet.
gpt
No, it isn't that at all. There's something we don't understand. She's in the dark and so are we. Her mind is struggling to break through, and we cannot help because we are in the dark too. Outwardly she doesn't know you. But she does know you, dear, she feels you, in another way. She knows that her little Augusta is around her, caring for her. The flesh and the senses are playing a cruel trick on her poor spirit, dear. But she does know that you are about her.
human
Oh, Jimmie, do you really believe it? I'm so tired trying to believe!
gpt
Yes, dear, I'm as sure as that we are standing here that she does in some way--I don't know how--she does really feel you. But I'm afraid, dearest that there is a change coming now. You know Gardner told us to expect it. And it's going to be cruel hard upon you, dear. You must not try to do all alone. I'll see Gardner tonight and we'll get a good strong nurse.
human
Oh, Jimmie, don't ask me to do that! I couldn't--I couldn't give up one little bit of her, not one little minute to anyone.
gpt
But, dear, you are not able. You are too little for it.
human
I can't help it, Jimmie. You know I can't. You know how I've waited, every hour of every day, waited and prayed, for a moment when my darling would know me--when she would know that I hadn't left her, that she hadn't been left to strange, careless people. And think, Jimmie, think what it would mean to me if the moment came, even one little flash, and I wasn't there for her to know me! Jimmie, she said quietly, turning slowly upon him with that strange, unseeing light in her eyes,
gpt
I think, if my moment should slip away from me that way--I think that I should die.