human
You wouldn't have done that?
gpt
No, I shouldn't have done it,
human
I can't think why. The wretched creature--I should have felt troubled if I'd ignored him.
gpt
But it's a profession. It's as much a part of the national customs as dancing and drinking.
human
Yes, I know. A profession ... but isn't that all the more reason why we should give him a little help?
gpt
A reason why you should permit yourself to be imposed upon?
human
I can't help thinking further than that. After all, it's he and his kind that must have been imposed upon in the beginning. It's being a profession makes me believe that all the people who might have helped him, who might have given him a chance to be happy and respectable, really conspired against him in some way. You have to believe that it's the rule that some must be comfortable and some wretched.
gpt
A beggar is a beggar, said Harboro.
human
And he was filthy.
gpt
But don't you suppose he'd rather be the proprietor of a wine-shop, or something of that sort, if he had had any choice?
human
Well.... It's not a simple matter, of course. I'm glad you did what you felt you ought to do.