human
What's the matter, Oscar? I cried.
gpt
What on earth's the matter?
human
Oh, Frank, I can't go, he cried,
gpt
I can't. It would be too wonderful; but it's impossible. I should be seized by the police. You don't know the police.
human
Nonsense, I cried,
gpt
Oh, Frank, he groaned,
human
What's impossible? I insisted.
gpt
Let's consider everything anew at breakfast to-morrow morning in France. If you want to come back, there's nothing to prevent you. The yacht will take you back in twenty-four hours. You will not have broken your bail; you'll have done nothing wrong. You can go to France, Germany or Siberia so long as you come back by the twentieth of May. Take it that I offer you a holiday in France for ten days. Surely it is better to spend a week with me than in that dismal house in Oakley Street, where the very door gives one the creeps.
human
Oh, Frank, I'd love to, he groaned.
gpt
I see everything you say, but I can't. I dare not. I'm caught, Frank, in a trap, I can only wait for the end.
human
Come for a trip, then, man,
gpt
No, no, I can't come. I could not go about in France feeling that the policeman's hand might fall on my shoulder at any moment. I could not live a life of fear and doubt: it would kill me in a month.
human
Why let your imagination run away with you? I pleaded.
gpt
Do be reasonable for once. Fear and doubt would soon be over. If the police don't get you in France within a week after the date fixed for the trial, you need have no further fear, for they won't get you at all: they don't want you. You're making mountains out of molehills with nervous fancies.
human
I should be arrested.
gpt
Nonsense, I replied,
human
And my sureties?
gpt
We'll pay 'em, I replied,
human
Frank, if I were not in Oakley Street to-night Willie would tell the police.
gpt
Your brother?
human
Yes, he said,
gpt
Willie.
human
Good God! I exclaimed;
gpt
You don't know Willie, he continued,
human
Whew! I whistled.
gpt
But in that case you'll have no compunction in leaving him without saying 'goodbye.' Let's go and get into the brougham.
human
No, no, he repeated,
gpt
Do you mean it really? I asked.
human
Do you mean you will not come and spend a week yachting with me?
gpt
I cannot.