human
Master Fink, said Gideon,
gpt
It is a common calamity, I remarked
human
We are sent into the world, said Gideon, gloomily,
gpt
Ah, ah, thought I,
human
And I said aloud,
gpt
Yes, to enjoy what belongs to us, what we have worked for and honestly earned. Proceed, and leave politics out of the question. You say that the ten years you have worked for me have been as good as wasted. Have you not learned a trade?
human
My pockets are empty, he retorted.
gpt
Suppose that I wished to settle in life--
human
All, then, is arranged between you and Katrine Loebeg.
gpt
What do you know about her? he cried, with a dark flush in his face.
human
Why do you mix up our names?
gpt
Be careful, Gideon, be careful, I said, half warningly, half threateningly
human
What there is between Katrine and me is our business, and concerns no one but ourselves.
gpt
You are in error. Katrine was born in this town, and she is an orphan. She is regarded with eyes of affection by many, and I could name worthy parents who would gladly receive her as a child of their own. See that you deal honestly by her. You did not finish what you were about to say. Suppose you wished to settle in life--
human
How should I be able to do so? If I set up for myself as a watch-maker in this place, either you or I would have to put up our shutters. There is not room enough for two.
gpt
The world is wide, Gideon.
human
But if I wish to stop here?
gpt
Stop here, in Heaven's name! Who prevents you?
human
I did not expect you would mock me, Master Fink, and from biting his lips he took to biting his nails.
gpt
I have a proposition to make to you. Having worked for you so long it is natural I should look for some advancement. I will work for you for two more years at the present rate, and at the expiration of that time you shall admit me as a partner in your business. You have no son to take care of you in your old age. I will be your son; I will take care of you. Then all will be well with us.
human
The murder is out, I thought.
gpt
Now I will see how far he will go.
human
In plain words, Gideon, I said,
gpt
Of course,
human
The villain! I thought.
gpt
He thinks the hook is already in my gills. I will remain silent just long enough to make him believe he has me safe. A fine idea, truly, to take this envious, idle knave as my partner. In three years I should find myself penniless, without a roof to my head. If it were not for his mother, whom I once loved, I would bid him pack off without another word. I am to allow him to adopt me as his father, am I? I am to put myself into his charge, for all the world as though I needed a keeper! A lunatic, indeed, I should prove myself to be by so doing. He must think that mankind were made for him to prey upon. Do I not put up with his blunders and bad workmanship--ay, and with something worse which I have never given utterance to? Because I am silent on the matter, he does not suspect that I know him to be a thief, and that I could send him to prison for what he has done. But for his mother's sake I will spare him. I will not bring shame and disgrace upon the gray hairs of the woman who brought into my life its most beautiful dreams, and who made the mistake of choosing a vagabond instead of me. She has suffered enough, and my hand shall not be raised against her. Ah, you gambler and schemer, Gideon Wolf, I could find it in my heart to strike you where you stand!