human
If only he'll believe in me! Shall I send for him? No, she decided.
gpt
If there's any hope, he'll come again.
human
Can I see you today at four o'clock? She answered,
gpt
Yes, I'll be very glad.
human
He half believes! He's puzzled!
gpt
Well, Mrs. Lanier, he began at once, with more friendliness now in his heavy voice,
human
Yes, I have a plan, but so have you. What is it?
gpt
My plan is simple, he replied.
human
Leave Joe to me. Keep him quiet at night so he can work, and I'll show you another husband.
gpt
He'd only make more money.
human
Tell him you don't want it, then!
gpt
Too simple,
human
I thought it would be too simple for a woman,
gpt
It's worse than that, she replied.
human
It's blind. You've never been married--apparently--not even to one woman--while Joe, you see, has been married twice. To you a man's life is all in his office--but half of Joe's is in his home--and you'll have to change that half of him, too. I told you her friends are about--and they have her memory on their side--and so I can't get rid of them until I get some friends of my own.
gpt
Then get them.
human
How? Go out on any street and call up, 'Heigh there' at the windows? She leaned forward quickly and sternly:
gpt
The friends I want are the people he knew--the ones you told me of. That's my plan. Put me in touch with some of them, and let me bring them in touch with Joe. And I'll show you a different partner.
human
Well, that's too simple, too,
gpt
Why is it?
human
Because in those first years of his marriage I went to them so often, in just the way you're thinking of. I got some of the men he used to know to come to his office and take him to lunch. And it did so little good they quit. They all got sick of it--and they're through.
gpt
But it will be different now! Before, they had Amy here working against them! I'm here now, and I'll be on their side! He frowned, and she cried impatiently,
human
You don't believe me, do you! You don't believe I can do anything--or even that I want to!
gpt
Yes, he said,
human
I almost do.
gpt
Then please give me a chance, she said, very low. And by her eager questions she began to draw out of Nourse the information she wanted. It did not come easy, for the past seemed buried deep in his memory. As one by one he spoke of Joe's friends he would add,
human
But he's dead, or,
gpt
He's gone West.