human
Sir, I am glad to see you. He pronounces the civility with a manner evidently affected by the effort to reconcile Bartlett's offensive personal appearance with his own sense of duty.
gpt
I--I was sorry to miss you before; and now I wish-- Your friend --referring with an inquiring glance to Cummings--
human
Mr. Cummings has told me that I have the misfortune to resemble some one with whom you have painful associations. That is quite enough, and entirely justifies you. I am going at once, and I trust you will forgive my rudeness in absenting myself a moment ago. I have a bad temper; but I never could forgive myself if I had forced my friend --he turns and glares warningly at Cummings, who makes a faint pantomime of conscientious protest as Bartlett proceeds--
gpt
--as General Wyatt seems about to speak,--
human
Cummings gives signs of extreme unrest at being made a party to this tacit deception, and General Wyatt, striking his palms hopelessly together, walks to the other end of the room. Bartlett touches the fallen camp-stool with his foot.
gpt
Cummings, will you be kind enough to put that on top of this other rubbish? He indicates his armful, and as Cummings complies, he says in a swift fierce whisper:
human
Her secret is mine. If you dare to hint that you've told it to me, I'll--I'll assault you in your own pulpit. Then to General Wyatt, who is returning toward him:
gpt
Good-morning, sir.
human
Oh! Ah! Stop! That is, don't go! Really, sir, I don't know what to say. I must have seemed to you like a madman a moment ago, and now I've come to play the fool. Bartlett and Cummings look their surprise, and General Wyatt hurries on:
gpt
I asked your friend to beg you to go away, and now I am here to beg you to remain. It's perfectly ridiculous, sir, I know, and I can say nothing in defence of the monstrous liberties I have taken. Sir, the matter is simply this: my daughter's health is so frail that her life seems to hang by a thread, and I am powerless to do anything against her wish. It may be a culpable weakness, but I cannot help it. When I went back to her from seeing your friend, she immediately divined what my mission had been, and it had the contrary effect from what I had expected. Well, sir! Nothing would content her but that I should return and ask you to stay. She looks upon it as the sole reparation we can make you.
human
I understand that perfectly; and may I beg you to say that in going away I thanked her with all my heart, and ventured to leave her my best wishes?
gpt
Excuse me--thanks--but--but I am afraid she will not be satisfied with that. She will be satisfied with nothing less than your remaining. It is the whim of a sick child--which I must ask you to indulge. In a few days, sir, I hope we may be able to continue on our way. It would be simply unbearable pain to her to know that we had driven you away, and you must stay to show that you have forgiven the wrong we have done you.
human
That's nothing, less than nothing. But I was thinking--I don't care for myself in the matter--that Miss Wyatt is proposing a very unnecessary annoyance for you all. My friend can remain and assure her that I have no feeling whatever about the matter, and in the meantime I can remove--the embarrassment--of my presence.
gpt
Sir, you are very considerate, very kind. My own judgment is in favour of your course, and yet
human
I think my friend is right, and that when he is gone
gpt
Well, sir! well, sir! It may be the best way. I think it _is_ the best. We will venture upon it. Sir, --to Bartlett,--
human
Bartlett lays down his burden on the piano, and gives his hand.
gpt
Thank you, thank you! You will not regret this goodness. God bless you! May you always prosper!
human
Good-bye; and say to Miss Wyatt