human
So, she went on unflinchingly,
gpt
I came down to the landing to meet you in case you were on the Paul Revere. I cannot marry you, Barry. I--I don't love you as I should. I thought I did but--but--well, that's all. I don't know what has happened to make me see things so differently, but whatever it is I know now that I was mistaken,--oh, so terribly mistaken. I know I am hurting you, Barry,--and you have a right to despise me. I--I somehow hope you will,--because I deserve it.
human
I hope you don't think I am taking this seriously. This isn't the first time I've heard you take on like--
gpt
But I mean it this time, Barry,--I do truly and honestly, she cried.
human
I know I've played hot and cold with you,--and that's just the point. It proves that I never really cared for you in--in that way--down in my soul, I mean. I am sure of it now. I have been dreadfully unhappy about it,--because, Barry dear, I can't bear to hurt you. We are not suited to each other. We think differently about a great many things. We--
gpt
Look here, he exclaimed roughly, no longer able to disguise his anger;
human
Let go of my arm, Barry Lapelle! she cried.
gpt
Don't you dare lay your hand on me like that!
human
Ah,--I didn't mean to hurt you and you know it. I wouldn't hurt you for anything in the world. I'm sorry if I was rough with--
gpt
I don't blame you, she broke in, contritely.
human
I guess it would serve me right if you beat me black and blue.
gpt
What I was going to say, he growled, controlling himself with difficulty,
human
I tell you I am in earnest, she cried hotly.
gpt
This is for good and all,--and you make me furious when you talk like that. I am doing my best to be kind and considerate, so you'd better be careful, Barry Lapelle, not to say too much.
human
By heaven, Viola, I believe you DO mean it. You--you are actually throwing me over,--giving me the mitten?
gpt
I can't help it, Barry, she insisted.
human
Something,--I don't know what,--has come over me. Nothing seems to be the same as it used to be. I only know that I cannot bear the thought of--why, Barry dear, for the past three or four nights I've lain awake for hours thinking of the awful consequences if we had succeeded in making our escape that night, and had been married as we planned. How terrible it would have been if I had found out too late that I did not love you,--and we were tied to each other for life. For your sake as well as my own, Barry. Can you imagine anything more horrible than to be married to a woman who--who didn't love you?
gpt
Yes, he snapped,
human
I can. It's worse a thousand times over not to be married to the girl you love,--and to see her married to some one else. That would be hell,--hell, do you understand?
gpt
But not the hell it would be for me when I found out--too late. Won't you understand, Barry? Can't you see how terrible it would be?
human
Say, when did you get this idea into your head? he demanded harshly.
gpt
What put it there? You were loving me hard enough a while ago,--couldn't get along without me, you claimed. Now you're singing another tune. Look here! Is--is there some one else?
human
You know there isn't, she cried indignantly.
gpt
Who else could there be? Don't be foolish, Barry.
human
By God, if some one else has cut me out, I'll--I'll--
gpt
There is no one else, I tell you! I don't love anybody,--I swear it.
human
Has Kenny Gwynne anything to do with all this?
gpt
Kenny? Why,--no,--of course not. What on earth could he have to do with my loving or not loving you?
human
It would be just like him to turn you against me because he thinks I'm not fit to--Say, if I find out that he's been sticking his nose into my affairs, I'll make it so hot for him,--brother or no brother,--that he'll wish he'd never been born. Wait a minute! I'll tell you what I think of him while I'm about it--and you can run and tell him as quick as you please. He's a G-- d---- snake in the grass, that's what he is. He's a conceited, sanctimonious, white-livered--
gpt
Stop that! she cried, springing to her feet, white with fury, her eyes blazing.
human
You are forgetting yourself, Barry Lapelle. Not another word! How dare you speak like that about my brother?
gpt
How dare you?
human
You weren't sticking up for him this time last week, he sneered.
gpt
You were hating him like poison. Has the old woman had a change of heart, too? Is she letting him sit in her lap so's she can feed him with a spoon when he's hungry and--
human
I wouldn't marry you if you were the only man in the world, Barry Lapelle,