human
Your father is a very ill man and as his physician I feel compelled to have a very serious conversation with the family.
gpt
Will he die?
human
No, my dear, he will not die; but he may do worse than die unless he can be allowed to take the rest that he should have been taking for years.
gpt
What could be worse than death?
human
Uselessness! Chronic nervous prostration! His nerves have lost their elasticity and nothing will cure him but a long rest, absolutely free from care. Worries of all kinds, business, financial, family, every kind, must be kept from him. As I told your mother yesterday, a sea voyage would be the best thing for him, a long, lazy trip. When one gets on the water out of sight of land he kind of loses his identity in the immensity of Creation. That is what I want your father to do--lose his identity. Your mother must go with him to nurse him--he won't need much nursing, fortunately. And now you girls have got to decide among yourselves what is best to do. I know your financial affairs are none of my business----
gpt
Ahem----
human
But I have to make your business my business for the time being on account of my patient. Your father tells me he has absolutely no income except what he gets from his profession. You know that, I suppose?
gpt
Why no--that is--we---- hesitated Douglas.
human
Father never talked business with us.
gpt
Um hum! I see! Just gave you ample allowances and let you spend 'em?
human
We have never had allowances, spoke Nan with her funny drawl.
gpt
Just made bills instead.
human
Well, now, for a year I see nothing but for you to manage with very little and maybe not that. You own this house.
gpt
Of course! from the scornful Helen.
human
We can easily keep house here while our parents are away.
gpt
But, Helen, keep house on what?
human
Why, just keep house! Just go on living here.
gpt
But when Father stops working, there is no more money. Can't you see?
human
Well, then, we will have to charge.
gpt
Yes, charge on, and when your father gets well, if he does get well, he will have an accumulation of bills to meet which will be so good for his health, won't it?