human
You are not like yourself to-day,
gpt
Well, each of us has his troubles. Sometimes I have likened the human race to a caravan of camels crossing a desert--each with sore on his hump and each with his load so placed as to rub that sore. It is all right for the back to bear its burden, but I don't think there should have been any sore!
human
Let me ask you a question, said John, suddenly and earnestly.
gpt
Have there ever been days in your life when, if you'd been the camel, you'd have thrown the load and driver off?
human
Ah!
gpt
Have there ever been days when you'd rather have done wrong than right?
human
Yes; there have been such days--when I was young and wild.
gpt
Have you ever had a trouble, and everybody around you fell upon you in the belief that it was something else?
human
That has happened to me--I suppose to all of us.
gpt
Were you greatly helped by their misunderstanding you?
human
I can't say that I was.
gpt
You would have been glad for them to know the truth, but you didn't choose to tell them?
human
Yes; I have gone through such an experience.
gpt
So that their sympathy was in effect ridiculous?
human
That is true also.
gpt
If you have been through all this, said John conclusively,
human
John, he said with affection,
gpt
I've been wrong: forgive me! And I can respect your silence. But don't let anything come between us and keep it from me. One question now on this our last Sunday night together: Have you anything against me in this world?
human
Not one thing! Have you anything against me?
gpt
Not one thing!
human
I not only have nothing against you, but I've something to say; we might never meet hereafter. You remember the woman who broke the alabaster box for the feet of the Saviour while he was living--that most beautiful of all the appreciations? And you know what we do? Let our fellow-beings carry their crosses to their Calvarys, and after each has suffered his agony and entered into his peace, we go out to him and break our alabaster boxes above his stiff cold feet. I have always hoped that my religion might enable me to break my alabaster box for the living who alone can need it--and who always do need it. Here is mine for your feet, John: Of all the men I have ever known, you are the most sincere; of them all I would soonest pick upon you to do what is right; of them all you have the cleanest face, because you have the most innocent heart; of them all you have the highest notions of what a man may do and be in this life. I have drawn upon your strength ever since I knew you. You have a great deal. It is fortunate; you will need a great deal; for the world will always be a battle-field to you, but the victory will be worth the fighting. And my last words to you are: fight it out to the end; don't compromise with evil; don't lower your ideals or your aims. If it can be any help to you to know it, I shall always be near you in spirit when you are in trouble; if you ever need me, I will come; and if my poor prayers can ever bring you a blessing, you shall have that.