human
Are you--perhaps you're homesick?
gpt
Homesick? Her voice broke and, instead of being like an old woman's, it was like a little child's.
human
Yes, that's it, I'm homesick! And--and I think I'm not very well. I want my father, I want him so much!
gpt
Shall I take you back? he panted.
human
We're not far past Touggourt. To-morrow it will be too late, but now--now----
gpt
Now it's already too late. Oh, Soldier! to have yesterday again!
human
It can be yesterday for you,
gpt
No. Yesterday I was Sanda DeLisle. To-day I'm Sanda Stanton. Nothing can change that.
human
If you're unhappy your father can change it. You see, it's only the church that----
gpt
Forgive me. But the law would say----
human
It doesn't matter to me what the law would say. It's the thing what you don't think matters that matters entirely to me. And even if it were so--even if I were--unhappy instead of only homesick, and somehow ill, I wouldn't go back if I could. I've written to my father. And that priest from Touggourt will have told the Amaranthes. Every one knows. It would be a disgrace to----
gpt
No! Not to you.
human
I think it would. And to Richard. I have taken him by storm and almost forced him to marry me. I would die and be left alone in the desert rather than disgrace him in the world's eyes just when he's starting out on the crowning expedition of his life.
gpt
Who put such an idea into your head that you'd taken him by storm, that----
human
Never mind. It is in my head, and it's true. I know it. Soldier, I'm glad, oh, _so_ glad, that you're here! Will you help me?
gpt
You know I will,
human
Well, I've told you that I'm ill. It's my head--it aches horribly. I hardly know what I'm doing or saying. I _can't_ be--in that tent to-night!
gpt
You shall have mine, Max assured her quickly.
human
It's a good little tent, got for the French doctor Stanton was telling us about, who decided at the last minute not to come.
gpt
Oh, thank you a thousand times. But you?
human
I shall rig up something splendid. They've got more tents than they know what to do with. Several men fell out after Stanton had bought his supplies.
gpt
You _are_ good. Could I go to your tent now?
human
Of course. I'll take you there, and fetch your luggage myself. But you're sure you won't go back while there's time?
gpt
Sure.
human
If you're ill you can't ride on with the caravan.
gpt
I shall be better to-morrow. God will help me, and you will help me, too. I shall be able to go on for a while. Maybe it need not be for long. People die in the desert. I've always thought it a beautiful death. When you promise to marry a person it's for better or worse. And I've never said I was not _happy_, Soldier! Only a little homesick and tired.
human
Come with me to my tent, Max said, realizing that all his persuasions would be in vain.
gpt
Come quietly now, and I'll explain to--to Stanton.
human
He knows I feel ill, she answered.
gpt
I told him. He will understand.