human
Yes, dear, I know--I understand.
gpt
I was sure that you would know without my spelling it all out to you. But, oh, father, she cried,
human
I don't want you and mother to feel as you do about Tom, for you are wrong. You are all--all wrong!
gpt
Well, he began slowly, his high-keyed voice was pitched to a soft tone and he spoke with a woman's gentleness,
human
Tom's quite a man, but-- he could only repeat,
gpt
Then he added gently:
human
And I feel that he thinks it's genuine now--his--love for you, daughter. The Doctor's face twitched, and he swallowed a convulsive little sob as he said,
gpt
Laura--child--can't you see, it really makes no difference about Tom--not finally! He blinked and gulped and went on with renewed courage.
human
Can't you see, child--you're all we've got--mother and I--and if you want Tom--why-- his face began to crumple, but he controlled it, and blurted out,
gpt
Why by johnnie you can have him. And what's more, his voice creaked with emotion as he brought his hand down on his knee,
human
I'm going to make Tom the best father-in-law in the whole United States. His body rocked for a moment as he spurred himself to a last effort. Then he said:
gpt
And mother--mother'll be--mother will--she'll make him-- he could get no further, but he felt the pressure of her hand, and knew that she understood.
human
Mother and I just want you to be happy and if it takes Tom for that--why Tom's what it takes, I guess--and that's all we want to know!
gpt
But you don't know him, father! You don't understand him! It's beautiful to be able to do what I can do--but, she shuddered,
human
She put her father's hand to her flaming cheek and whispered,
gpt
You think so, don't you, father?
human
Laura, he said very gently,
gpt
But you think I can--father, you think I can?
human
No, piped the little man sadly,
gpt
The Doctor smiled, withdrew his arm, and started for the street. He turned,
human
And if you do save him, Laura, I'll be mighty proud of you. For, he squeaked good naturedly,