human
Come, let me see, Elsie! he said.
gpt
What! why, zounds! you have got two wrinkles there in your forehead as deep as old Sabina’s furrows. What has happened? Come, out with it! Something has vexed you, hey?
human
No, uncle, I am not vexed, but pained that you were so right in your estimate of Fräulein von Walde,
gpt
Pained because I was right, or because Fräulein von Walde has acted unworthily?
human
Well, because what you prophesied was evil, and——
gpt
And therefore it follows that you should be angry with me. He is always the criminal who tells the truth in such a matter. And pray, which of the utterances of my worldly wisdom has been justified by time?
human
Oh women, women, and those women in especial! They prophesy an immediate marriage if two people only say good morning to each other. But perhaps they are right in this case,—it clears up much to my mind that has hitherto seemed inexplicable to me.
gpt
But, uncle, you cannot believe that any one would sacrifice the best feelings of our nature to such a preference?
human
Many other things have happened, my child, for the sake of such a preference, and although I do not for one moment defend Fräulein von Walde’s weakness and submission; still, I shall henceforth judge her more leniently. She succumbs to the power which leads us to forget father and mother for another’s sake.
gpt
Ah! that is just what I cannot understand, said Elizabeth, earnestly.
human
How can any one love a stranger better than father or mother?
gpt
Hm! rejoined the forester, touching the horses lightly with his whip, to accelerate their speed. This
human
was followed by a clearing of his throat, and he changed the subject, for he justly thought,
gpt
If that be so, she will never understand my definition of love, although I should speak with the tongues of angels.