human
You'll be back in time for your birthday, Ernestine?
gpt
Oh, yes; I'm only going to stay a week.
human
I thought you said, perhaps two?
gpt
Did I? Well I've decided one will be enough.
human
Ernestine, what have you been painting? Tell me, dear. That's one thing I'm a little disappointed in. I do so want to keep close to your work.
gpt
Well, Karl, after a silence,
human
--Ernestine's voice was so low and full of feeling he could scarcely get the words--
gpt
--her voice quivered--
human
--her voice was stronger, fuller now--
gpt
I am going to make you see it just as plainly as you ever saw anything in all your life!
human
You must! I couldn't bear it to be shut out from your work.
gpt
You are not going to be shut out from my work!
human
I want your life to be happy, Ernestine, he said, after a time, and the words seemed to have a new meaning spoken out of this mood of very deep tenderness.
gpt
I don't want it to be darkened. I want my love to make you happy--in spite of it all.
human
It does, she breathed,--
gpt
But I want you to be--as you used to be! I haven't been fair in letting this make such a difference with us.
human
Karl--how can you talk like that, when you have been so--splendid?
gpt
But you see I don't want to be splendid, he said whimsically.
human
I'd rather be a brute than be splendid. And I want you to love me always as you did at first--just because you couldn't help yourself.
gpt
I can not help myself now, she laughed.
human
I am just as helpless as I ever was.