human
See, Walter, she said passing through the open door;
gpt
I had lunch here once, announced MacBirney in his choppy way.
human
With you and your brother and McCrea,
gpt
You never said a word to me about seeing such a pretty place,
human
You’ve been in the west room?
gpt
Yes, Alice sang for me while you were with Uncle John,
human
I thought I heard music, remarked Kimberly, looking at Alice.
gpt
What did you sing?
human
I only hummed an old air.
gpt
I miss music keenly, he said,
human
I wish I could make a contract with you to sing here every day.
gpt
You would be in very good company, interposed Dolly.
human
Some famous artistes have sung at that piano. Robert, she added, as the two women walked toward his dressing-room,
gpt
This is my mother, he said to Alice.
human
Sit down for just a moment--I want you to like her.
gpt
I like her very much, already, returned Alice.
human
But I should like to sit a moment to enjoy the portrait. I wish I could have known your mother.
gpt
This room I fancy best of them all, Dolly was saying to MacBirney as they walked on.
human
All of this wall panelling and ceiling was made from one mahogany log brought up from Santo Domingo many years ago with a cargo of sugar.
gpt
She was the most tender, kindly woman in the world,
human
Such a mother ought to be an inspiration to you for everything high and good, Mr. Kimberly.
gpt
Yet I have never reached anything high and good.
human
Sometime you will.
gpt
Do you really think that?
human
Yes, I do. And thank you for letting me see your mother.
gpt
If you only could have met her! There was an intensity of regret in his words.
human
It was a tragedy for such a woman to die young. I have long wanted you to see her portrait; you constantly make me think of her, Alice.
gpt
It is most kind of you to say that, Mr. Kimberly. So kind that I am going to be bold enough to ask a favor.
human
I know what you are going to ask, but I wish you wouldn’t. I want very much to do what you are about to ask me not to do----
gpt
It is almost nothing--only not to call me Alice.
human
There is no use my asking a favor, is there?
gpt
Not, Mr. Kimberly, this time. I want you to oblige me.
human
You are afraid of me.
gpt
Is it quite generous, Mr. Kimberly--here?
human
No, he answered in the same even voice,
gpt
I trust you think of me, she responded,
human
You are afraid of me. And yet I want your confidence above everything in this world--and I must in some way deserve and win it.
gpt
I do wish you would not say these things. I have to try very hard not to dislike you exceedingly when you speak in this way.
human
You do dislike me exceedingly when I speak in this way. I know it perfectly.
gpt
I sometimes ask myself whether I should suffer it even for my husband’s sake. You will force me to do something unpleasant, I fear.
human
I never will force you to do anything. I do want to call you Alice. But don’t hate me for that.
gpt
It was almost three years before Imogene saw Charles again, Alice heard Dolly say,
human
By Jove! He had patience,
gpt
That is the only exasperating thing about the Kimberly men--their patience.