human
Don't cry, Yvonne, he said brokenly.
gpt
It--it hurts. From what you tell me I gather that your--mother--is in a more critical condition than I imagined. Do you want to go to her--now?
human
Dad, she said, and a vibration rang in her voice that carried her father's memory back half a lifetime, back to the days when youth was golden and love was deemed everlasting,
gpt
What I said?
human
Yes. You were speaking to some man who was angered by the merciless attitude of the peasant women to one of their own sex. You blamed the misleading teachings of narrow-minded theologians, and reminded him of Christ's words to the Pharisees who brought before Him some poor creature who had fallen. They taunted Him with the Mosaic law, which ordered that she and her like should be pelted with stones; but He only said that the man who was without sin among them should cast the first stone. And the crowd melted, and Christ was left alone with the sinner, whom He forgave. I did not know then just what you meant. I did not know until I heard my mother confessing her fault, and asking me, her daughter, for forgiveness.
gpt
Unhappily our everyday world is not ruled by the maxims of Christ. The girl you speak of went to Brest, and her body was found in the harbor a fortnight later.
human
I remembered that too.
gpt
If you go to your mother now, you may set in motion influences that may darken your whole life.
human
If I did not go, I would never forgive myself--never!
gpt
Prudence, the merest sort of commonsense, warns me that we ought to get away from Pont Aven by the first possible train.
human
Father dear, what did Peridot say to you before he brought the Hirondelle round into the wind off Les Verrés? I couldn't hear, of course. But do you think I could not read your face? Had you not to decide whether or not you would risk my life as well as your own? You were sure of Lorry--who wouldn't be? But it came hard to sacrifice me as well. Did you obey commonsense then? Did you even hesitate?
gpt
So be it! he said wearily.
human
Don't think I am afraid of any rival in your affection, Yvonne. Perhaps your woman's heart is wiser than my gray head. But, mark you, I make two stipulations! No matter what transpires, you must come home before eleven o'clock; and it is impossible, absolutely impossible, that your mother and I should ever meet!