human
Katie, Ann whispered,
gpt
I never told you I'd shut the door in Major Darrett's face! said Katie harshly.
human
And what are you talking about? What does this all mean?
gpt
Why it merely means, Katie, that we--as you surmised--at one time--knew each other. The--the acquaintance terminated--not pleasantly. That's all. A slight surprise for the moment. No harm done.
human
It means, she said shrilly,
gpt
--pointing at him--
human
She pointed down toward the river.
gpt
Oh no, no harm done, of course--No harm done--
human
Please let us try and keep very quiet, said Katie coldly.
gpt
It is--it is vulgar enough at best. Let us be as quiet--as decent as we can.
human
Why really, it's quite as good as a play, isn't it? It's quite a scene, I'm sure.
gpt
It needn't be, said he soothingly, and relaxing a little.
human
I own I was startled for the moment, and--discomfited. But you were quite right--we'll go into no hysterics. What I can't understand --looking from one to the other--
gpt
She's here, I'll have you know, as my friend. Just as you're here as my friend.
human
Suppose you go up to my room, Ann. Lie down. Just--just lie down. Keep quiet. Why did you come home? Is something wrong?
gpt
All right, said Katie.
human
It's all right. Just go lie down. I'll look after Worth--and you--in a minute.
gpt
Well?
human
You're so sensible, Katie, he said hurriedly,
gpt
Oh you tell first, said Katie, smiling a hard smile.
human
You tell where you found her, then I'll tell where I found her.
gpt
Really--really, he said stiffly,
human
I must refuse to discuss such a matter with _you_. I can only repeat--she has no business here.
gpt
Then pray why have you any business here?
human
Why, Katie, she's not one of us.
gpt
She's one of _me_, said Katie.
human
She's my friend.
gpt
I can only say again, he said shortly,
human
As I am to be kept so safe from the wicked world, said Katie stingingly,
gpt
I presume it is not proper you discuss the matter with me. I take it, however, that she was one of those 'excursions' into the great outer world?
human
Well, he said defiantly,
gpt
Oh, no! Oh, my no! That wouldn't be your method. And when one is tired of exursions--I suppose one is at perfect liberty to abandon them--?
human
Nonsense! You can't trump up anything of that sort. She wasn't 'abandoned.' She left in the night.
gpt
I beg your pardon. But as long as we're speaking frankly--
human
Oh pray, said Katie,
gpt
Very well then. Her coming was her own choice. Her going away was her own choice. I can see that I have no great responsibility in the matter.
human
Why how clever you must be, said Katie, all the while smiling that hard smile,
gpt
I think I was very decent to her. All things considered--in view of the nature of the affair--I consider that I was very decent.
human
Maybe you were. I found her in the very act of committing suicide.
gpt
That was not my affair. There must have been--something afterward.
human
Maybe. I'm sure I don't know. But you were the beginning, weren't you? Suddenly she buried her face in her hands.
gpt
Oh I didn't think--I didn't think it could get in here! It's everywhere! It's everywhere! It's _getting_ me!
human
Katie--dear Katie, he murmured,
gpt
Don't touch me! Don't you touch me!