human
Daddy-Doctor, she said, using her old childish name for him,
gpt
Brighter! said the old doctor eyeing her approvingly.
human
But what will your people say?
gpt
They'll have to let me, Daddy-Doctor. Besides, everybody else is doing it, and you know that has great weight with Aunt Rhoda.
human
It's a hard life, child! You never saw much of pain and suffering and horror.
gpt
Well, it's time, then.
human
But those men over there you would have to care for will not be like your grandfather and aunt. They will be dirty and bloody, and covered with filth and vermin.
gpt
Well, what of that!
human
Could you stand it?
gpt
So you think I'm a butterfly, too, do you, Daddy-Doctor? Well, I want to prove to you that I'm not. I've been doing my best to get used to dirt and distress. I washed a little sick Italian baby yesterday and helped it's mother scrub her floor and make the house clean.
human
The dickens you did! beamed the doctor proudly.
gpt
I always knew you had a lot of grit. I guess you've got the right stuff in you. But say, if I help you you've got to tell me the real reason why you want to go, or else--nothing doing! Understand? I know you aren't like the rest, just wanting to get into the excitement and meet a lot of officers and have a good time so you can say afterward you were there. You aren't that kind of a girl. What's the real reason you want to go? Have you got somebody over there you're interested in?