human
Get up! what is this foolery?
gpt
I will not! I will not rise till you have told me.
human
What?
gpt
Whether --and she forced the words slowly out in a low whisper,
human
Is the girl mad! Belt! Money? Do you take me for a thief, wench!
gpt
No! no! no! Only say you--you know nothing of it!
human
Psha! girl! Go to your school:
gpt
Only say that! only let me know that it is a dream--a hideous dream which the devil put into my wicked, wicked heart--and let me know that I am the basest, meanest of daughters for harbouring such a thought a moment! It will be comfort, bliss, to what I endure! Only say that, and I will crawl to your feet, and beg for your forgiveness,--ask you to beat me, like a child, as I shall deserve! Drive me out, if you will, and let me die, as I shall deserve! Only say the word, and take this fire from before my eyes, which burns day and night,--till my brain is dried up with misery and shame! Mother, mother, speak!
human
Yes, viper! I see your plan! Do you think I do not know that you are in love with that fellow?
gpt
Yes! and want me to betray myself--to tell a lie about myself, that you may curry favour with him--a penniless, unbelieving--
human
Mother! almost shrieked Grace,
gpt
I can bear no more! Say that it is a lie, and then kill me if you will!
human
It is a lie, from beginning to end! What else should it be? And the woman, in the hurry of her passion, confirmed the equivocation with an oath; and then ran on, as if to turn her own thoughts, as well as Grace's, into commonplaces about