human
Yes, James. We were laughing at something Constance had been telling me about Mr. Bartlett. Tell your father, Constance.
gpt
I don't think it would amuse papa.
human
Oh, yes, it would; I'm sure it would.
gpt
You can tell it then, mamma.
human
No; you, my dear. You tell it so funnily; and --in a lower tone--
gpt
There was nothing funny in it. It was disgusting. I was laughing from nervousness.
human
Why, Constance
gpt
Never mind, Margaret. Another time will do. He chooses to ignore the coldness of his daughter's bearing toward himself.
human
I came to see if Constance were not strong enough to go out on the lake this morning. The boats are very good, and the air is so fine that I think she'll be the better for it. Mr. Bartlett is going out to the island to sketch, and
gpt
I don't care to go.
human
Do go, my daughter! I know it will do you good.
gpt
I am not strong enough.
human
But you said you were better, just now; and you should yield to to your father's judgment.
gpt
I will do whatever papa bids me.
human
I don't bid you. Margaret, I think I will go out with Mr. Bartlett. We will be back at dinner.
gpt
Oh, Constance! How can you treat your father so coldly? You will suffer some day for the pain you give him!
human
Suffer? No, I'm past that. I've exhausted my power of suffering.
gpt
You haven't exhausted your power of making others suffer.
human
I told you that I lived only to give pain. But it's my fate, not my will. Nothing but that can excuse me.
gpt
Oh, oh! Well, then, give _me_ pain if you must torment somebody. But spare your father,--spare the heart that loves you so tenderly, you unhappy girl.
human
Whenever I see papa, my first thought is, If he had not been so harsh and severe, it might never have happened! What can I care for his loving me when he hated _him_? Oh, _I_ will do my duty, mother; _I_ will obey; I _have_ obeyed, and I know how. Papa can't demand anything of me _now_ that isn't easy. I have forgiven everything, and if you give me time I can forget. I _have_ forgotten. I have been laughing at something so foolish, it ought to make me cry for shame.
gpt
Constance, you try me beyond all endurance! You talk of forgiving, you talk of forgetting, you talk of that wretch! Forgive _him_, forget _him_, if you can. If he had been half a man, if he had ever cared a tithe as much for you as for himself, all the hate of all the fathers in the world could not have driven him from you. You talk of obeying
human
Oh, please, Mrs. Wyatt! There are four men carrying somebody up the hill. And General Wyatt just went down, and I can't see him anywhere, and
gpt
You're crazy, Mary! He hasn't been gone a moment; there isn't time; it can't be he!