human
Missed my trail coming back, he said.
gpt
I've kept you a blamed long time, haven't I?
human
Not a bit. Glad to wait.
gpt
Of course that's a nice, kind lie at this time of night, and when you've no idea what you've been waiting for. Well, I'll tell you, and then maybe you'll be glad you assisted at the job.
human
Jord, he said,
gpt
I don't believe it,
human
It's absolutely true. When I get into a red rage I could twist a neck more easily than I can get a grip on myself. Sometimes I'm afraid I'll do it. Years back when I had a rush of blood to the head of that sort I used to take it out in swearing till the atmosphere was blue; but I can't do that any more.
gpt
Why not?
human
I did it once too often--and the last time I sent a dying soul to the other world with my curses in its ears--the soul of a child, Jord. I lost my head because his mother had disobeyed my orders, and the little life was going out when it might have stayed. When I came to myself I realized what I'd done--and I made my vow. Never again, no matter what happened! And I've kept it. But sometimes, as to-night--Well, there's only one thing I can do: keep my tongue between my teeth as long as I can, and then--get away somewhere and smash things till I'm black and blue.
gpt
That's what you've been doing back in the woods?
human
Rather. Anyhow, it's evened up my circulation and I can be decent again. I'm not going to tell you what made me rage like the bull of Bashan, for it wouldn't be safe yet to let loose on that. It's enough that I can treat a good comrade like you as I did and still have him stand by.
gpt
I felt a good deal in the way, but I'm glad now I was with you.
human
I'm glad, too, if it's only that you've discovered at last what manner of man I am when the evil one gets hold of me. None of us likes to be persistently overrated, you know.
gpt
I don't think the less of you for being angry when you had a just cause, as I know you must have had.
human
It's not the being angry; it's the losing control.
gpt
But you didn't.
human
Didn't I? A short, grim laugh testified to Burns's opinion on this point.
gpt
Ask that woman I put on the train to-night. Jord, on her arm is a black bruise where I gripped her when she lied to me; I gripped her--a woman. You might as well know. Now--keep on respecting me if you can.
human
But I do,
gpt
Len, will you go for a day in the woods with me?