human
I notice, Mr. Johnsen, said Rachel,
gpt
The reason is that your extraordinary acuteness leads the conversation into certain lines of thought,
human
It does not require any extraordinary acuteness to perceive that when two people make an attempt in common to thoroughly understand any subject, they are more likely to be successful than if each were to work for himself. But what appears to me most remarkable is really this, that you did not long ago work out these problems for yourself.
gpt
You have opened my eyes to many things which hitherto--
human
But hear what I have to say, broke in Rachel, with some impatience.
gpt
We have been going backwards and forwards here certainly for half an hour, talking about the many difficulties which must beset a clergyman, who is at the same time the servant of both God and the State, and continually, or at least several times, you have told me that I was right, or that you had not thought of such and such things before, or something of that sort. Rachel stopped in the broad path between the hedges in front of the house, where they were walking, and, looking him full in the face, said,
human
How is it possible, Mr. Johnsen, that you who have studied theology, and intend in the course of time to take priest's orders, have not already long ago made the subject clear to yourself, and taken your line accordingly?
gpt
I have been quite enough troubled by doubts and anxieties, which are things none of us can escape; but if it now appears to you--and I must confess that it is the fact--that I have neglected certain points, I must plead that this negligence has been caused by my peculiar education. I come from a poor home, a very poor home --he seemed to regain his confidence as he spoke--
human
Do you remember our first conversation?
gpt
I don't think I have forgotten a single word that has passed between us.
human
It was one of the first Sundays you were at Sandsgaard.
gpt
The conversation at dinner turned upon the subject of war. Was not that the day you mean?
human
Yes, exactly, answered Rachel.
gpt
Mr. Delphin was maintaining, in his foolish, superficial way, that the spirit of the time would soon get rid of the evil of war, if we could only have done with kings and priests. You may remember Mr. Martens got quite excited, and insisted that priests were distinctly men of peace, and that their work was the work of peace. And then Mr. Delphin made the adroit answer, that any one who liked could go to church any Sunday, and hear how devoutly this man of peace, Mr. Martens, prays for the arms of the country by land and by sea.
human
I remember it very well, answered Johnsen, with a smile;
gpt
Yes; you declared that you would never, if you were ordained, mention the arms of the country in your prayers.
human
Neither will I; nothing shall ever make me.
gpt
I bring this to your recollection, she went on,
human
False to myself I cannot be, cried he;
gpt
I would rather give up my future prospects.
human
But is that sufficient?
gpt
I don't understand you, Miss Garman.
human
Do you think that you would be doing yourself justice by thus evading the responsibility that your convictions give rise to? If I were a man --Rachel drew herself up--
gpt
I would go and seek the conflict, and not shirk it.
human
Neither will I shirk it, Miss Garman,
gpt
I hope you won't; there are quite enough who do.