human
I am not ashamed, she said.
gpt
At least you know me, now.
human
Yes. I know.
gpt
I am glad you know, she said, and he saw how pale she was, and that her cheeks were wet.
human
Now that it is over, I am glad that you know, she said again.
gpt
You are beyond sympathy, and beyond pitying any one, though you are not unkind. I am glad, that if any one was to know my secret, it should be you. I could not bear pity. It would hurt me. But you are not unkind.
human
Nor kind--nor anything,
gpt
No. It is as though I had spoken to the grave--or to eternity. It is safe with you.
human
Yes. Quite safe. Safer than with the dead.
gpt
He never knew it. Thank God! He never knew it! To me he was always the same faithful friend. To you he was an enemy, and cruel. I thought him above cruelty, but he was human, after all. Was it not human, that he should be cruel to you?
human
Yes, answered Griggs, wondering a little at her speech and tone.
gpt
It was very human.
human
And you forgive him for it?
gpt
I?
human
Yes, she answered.
gpt
I want your forgiveness for him. He died without your forgiveness. It is the only thing I ask of you--I have not the right to ask anything, I know, but is it so very much?
human
It is nothing, said Griggs.
gpt
There is no such thing as forgiveness in my world. How could there be? I resent nothing.
human
But then, if you do not resent what he did, you have forgiven him. Have you not?
gpt
I suppose so.
human
Will you not say it?
gpt
Willingly, he answered.
human
I forgive him. I remember nothing against him.
gpt
Thank you. You are a good man.
human
Thank you, she repeated, withdrawing hers.
gpt
Do not think it strange that I should ask such a thing. It means a great deal to me. I could not bear to think that he had left an enemy in the world and was gone where he could not ask forgiveness for what he had done. So I asked it of you, for him. I know that he would have wished me to. Do you understand?
human
Yes, said Griggs, thoughtfully.
gpt
I understand.