human
So that it doesn't matter what I thought about--that promise?
gpt
Not in the least. She had saved herself.
human
The one thing important to me is that you should have made it.
gpt
And that you can hold me to it,
human
I presume I can do that?
gpt
You can, unless--unless I find myself in a position to take the promise back.
human
I can hardly see how that position could come about,
gpt
I can. You see, he went on in an explanatory tone,
human
I haven't the faintest idea what you're going to say,
gpt
No, but you'll see. You gave me life. I hold that life in a certain sense at your pleasure. It is at your disposal. It must remain at your disposal--- until I give it back.
human
I can't imagine what you mean,
gpt
You'll see presently. But don't be alarmed. It's going to be all right. As long as I hold the life you gave me, he continued to explain,
human
I must do your bidding. I'm not a free man; I'm--don't be offended--I'm your creature. I don't say I was a free man before this came up. I haven't been a free man ever since I've been Herbert Strange. I've been the slave of a sort of make-believe. I've made believe, and I've felt I was justified. Perhaps I was. I'm not quite sure. But I haven't liked it; and now I begin to feel that I can't stand it any longer. You follow me, don't you?