human
Andy, here I am!
gpt
You—you’ve done this?
human
No, he did it quite by himself, Mr. Law. He’s been so brave,
gpt
Lord, Jim! Law was gripping Norval’s hand.
human
I feel as if—well, as if I’d seen a miracle.
gpt
You’re going to see again, Norval, was the verdict.
human
You’ll have to go slow, wear dark glasses for awhile, but most of all, forget what brought this about. Your nerves have played the deuce with you.
gpt
Yes, Norval replied,
human
I want to talk, he said.
gpt
Where is Law?
human
He went to—to see Professor Revelle. He said he wanted some music; that you, the pale face broke into a pathetic smile,
gpt
What, Miss Walden? What, exactly?
human
Well, he’d be damned! That is what he said, exactly.
gpt
He’s beginning to treat me like a human being, Miss Walden. I love Law when he’s at his worst. I suppose I’ve been a big trial, moping here. Have I injured your nerves?
human
No—o! Not for life.
gpt
You’re a comical little codjer. Excuse me, Miss Walden. There are times still when you remind me of someone to whom I once dared to speak my mind.
human
Where are you going this summer?
gpt
I have not decided yet, Mr. Norval. Why?
human
Nothing, I was only thinking, but I’ll have to speak to Law first. One thing is sure, I’m not going to be an ass much longer. See here, Miss Walden, you’re a sturdy sort; you’ve stuck it out with me at my lowest. I’m going to repay you for the trouble I’ve made you by making more for you. I’m going to go away this summer, too. I’ve wanted to go lately. I’ve got to dreaming about it. I’m going to a little place hidden away in Canada. I have something to do there.
gpt
Yes?
human
For a time I couldn’t contemplate it; I was too proud to show my battered hulk. Now it seems that I have no longer any right to consider myself. I was going to ask Mr. Law to carry a message for me to a young girl there; the girl on that canvas by the window. Instead—I’m going to carry it!
gpt
I think you ought to carry your message yourself, if you can. You have no right to consider only yourself,
human
I wasn’t, entirely. This came humbly from Norval.
gpt
The girl to whom I am going is the sort who would be deeply sorry for me; she’d go to any lengths to make up to me, if she could. Of course, you understand, I would not let her, but I’d hate to make life harder for her.
human
Perhaps she has a right to—to judge for herself.
gpt
Well, I don’t know, Miss Walden. Such a woman as you might judge wisely—even for yourself. She wouldn’t. She’s the kind that risks everything; she’s what you might call a divine gambler.
human
Poor girl!
gpt
Yes, that’s what I often say of her—poor girl!
human
I’m going to tell you something, Norval said suddenly,
gpt
I’d love to hear unless you’d rather have me read to you, Mr. Norval.
human
No, for a wonder, I’d rather tell you a story.