human
You ought not to be here, you know,
gpt
They are all very much frightened about you at home.
human
I am sorry they are frightened.
gpt
Your coming might be misunderstood, David's mother said; her voice was very harsh; the gentle loveliness of her face had changed to an incredible harshness.
human
I shall say I was here with you, of course; but you are insane, Elizabeth! you are insane to be here!
gpt
Mother, David said, quietly,
human
He had come back, and even as he spoke retreating wheels were heard. They were alone, these three; there was no world to any of them outside that fire-lit room, encompassed by night, the ocean, and the storm.
gpt
Elizabeth did exactly right to come down here to--to consult me, David said;
human
Won't you go up-stairs now? You are as tired as Materna! But she must have something to eat before she goes to bed. Still holding her hand, he opened the door for her.
gpt
You know the spare room? I'm afraid it's rather in disorder, but you will find some blankets and things in the closet.
human
I'll have to lie to her, he thought, in consternation. David had never lied to his mother, and even in this self-absorbed moment he shrank from doing so. He was keenly disturbed, but as the door closed upon Elizabeth he spoke quietly enough:
gpt
You are very tired, Materna; don't let's get to discussing things tonight. I'll bring you something to eat, and then you must go up to your room.
human
There is nothing to discuss, David, she said;
gpt
You say she'll 'go home.' Do you mean that you will take her back to Blair Maitland?
human
I hope she will go to her husband.
gpt
Why? He was standing before her, his shoulder against the mantelpiece, his hands in his pockets; his attitude was careless, but his face was alert and hard; she no longer seemed a meddlesome good child; she was his mother, interfering in what was not her business.
human
Why?
gpt
Because he is her husband,
human
You know how he became her husband; he took advantage of an insane moment. The marriage has ended.
gpt
Marriage can't end, David. Living together may end; but Blair is not unkind to Elizabeth; he is not unfaithful; he is not unloving--
human
No, my God! he is not. My poor Elizabeth!
gpt
David, she said,
human
I mean that she has done with that thief. As he spoke it flashed into his mind that perhaps it was best to have things out with her now; then in the morning he would arrange it, somehow, so that she and Elizabeth should not meet;--for Elizabeth must not hear talk like this. Not that he was afraid of its effect; certainly this soft, sweet mother of his could not do what he had declared neither Blair Maitland, nor death, nor God himself could accomplish! But her words would make Elizabeth uncomfortable; so he had better tell her now, and get it over. In the midst of his own discomfort, he realized that this would spare him the necessity of a lie the next morning; and he was conscious of relief at that.
gpt
Mother, he said, gently,
human
I was going to write to you about it, but perhaps I had better tell you now.... She is coming to me.
gpt
Coming to you!