human
And she, I asked;
gpt
I do not know, he replied, looking straight before him.
human
As I told you before, I have never asked her point-blank. Our talk once turned on marriage. She said most positively she should never marry. 'Not if the right man appeared?' I ventured to put in. 'Then least of all,' said she suppressing a sigh. So one of us is wise it seems.
gpt
Nonsense, said I.
human
All girls say the same to begin with. Afterwards they think better of it.
gpt
It seems, too, that she is a year older than we thought--only a month younger than I am. Apropos, I have a request to make to you; that is, if you are able--
human
Come, no preamble. You know that I am never shy of asking you to do me a favour.
gpt
To-morrow is her birthday. I had just contrived to find out the date, when she said that she already felt herself very old, and was weary of life. That if she knew she were to die on the morrow it would give her no regret. I was busy just when you came in, writing out the air of one of your songs: you know the one beginning, 'How could I e'er deserve thee?' and I meant to give her a nosegay with it. But it does grieve me to think that I have nothing better to offer her. She has her dress fastened with an old black pin, and its glass head is cracked. A little brooch would be sure to please her--only unluckily my piano and singing lessons are over just now, most of my pupils are away, and so I cannot get at some fees that are owing; and to sell any of my effects is impossible, since all the superfluities I had--
human
We must contrive something, I said.
gpt
It stands to reason that the birthday must be duly honoured. Certainly I am no Cr[oe]sus at this moment, --and therewith I drew out a very small purse from my pocket, in which rattled only a few insignificant coins--