human
I'm glad to see you here--back in your normal surroundings.
gpt
Oh, are you? she said derisively.
human
Didn't you enjoy your little visit to me in prison?
gpt
Then may I ask why you came?
human
I don't think I shall tell you that.
gpt
Do you think I don't know?
human
I really haven't thought whether you knew or not.
gpt
You came to get just what you did get--the full savor of the humiliation of my position.
human
My God, he answered coolly,
gpt
It doesn't really matter why you came, at least not to me. Let me tell you why I sent for you to-night.
human
Are you able to come back into life again? Are you --he hesitated--
gpt
No. But then I never was very happy. I can tell you this: I wouldn't exchange my prison experience for anything in my whole life. You gave me something, Mr. O'Bannon, when you sent me to prison, that no one else was ever able to give me, not even my father, though he tried. I mean a sense of the consequences of my own character. That's the only aspect of punishment that is of use to people.
human
You don't mean you're grateful to me!
gpt
No, not grateful, she answered, and a little smile began to curve the corners of her mouth.
human
Not grateful to you, because, you see, I am going to return the obligation--to do the same kind deed to you.
gpt
To me? I don't believe I understand.
human
I don't believe you do. But be patient. You will. During my trial, I imagine--in fact I was told by your friends--that you took the position that you were treating me as you treated any criminal whose case you prosecuted.
gpt
What other stand could I take?
human
Oh, officially none. But in your mind you must have known you had another motive. Some people think it was a young man's natural thirst for headlines, but I know--and I want you to know I know it--that it was your personal vindictiveness toward me.
gpt
Don't say that!
human
I shall say it, Lydia went on,
gpt
I did kiss you,
human
I believe you did, but----
gpt
You know I did.
human
And is that something you're proud of, something it gives you satisfaction to remember?
gpt
The keenest.
human
That you kissed a woman against her will? Held her in your arms because you were physically stronger? You like to remember----
gpt
It was not against your will,
human
It was!
gpt
It was not! he repeated.
human
Do you think I haven't been over that moment often enough to be sure of what happened? You were not angry! You were glad I took you in my arms! You would have been glad if I had done it earlier!
gpt
Liar! said Lydia.
human
Liar and cad--to say such a thing! She was shivering so violently that her teeth chattered like a person in an ague.
gpt
If you knew--if you could guess the repugnance, the horror of a woman embraced by a man she loathes and despises! Her flesh creeps! There are no words for it! And then--then to be told by that man's mad vanity that she liked it, that she wanted it, that she brought it on herself----
human
Just wait a moment, he said.
gpt
I believe that you hate me now all right, whatever you felt then.
human
I do, I do hate you, she answered,
gpt
You will always have the power of injuring me.
human
Be sure I will use it.
gpt
I dare say you will.
human
I have. I haven't wasted any time at all.
gpt
What is all this about? What have you done?