human
I can't get over how _good_ people are! he said once.
gpt
Think of Mr. Moore being willing to take me back! Not as manager, of course--the boys wouldn't be wanting to take orders from me yet awhile. Nor I couldn't expect to handle money. But he sent for me, and said I was the best salesman he'd ever had, and offered me the old job back on a commission basis! Pretty nice, what?
human
Shall you take it?
gpt
Take it? Why, I jumped at the chance!
human
Archie, she said suddenly,
gpt
Have I thought of it? God, girl, what else do you suppose I've been thinking about the past year? I'd give the soul out of my body to slip away from this--this grab-bag, and get into a good clean fight--Those damned baby-killers! Gosh!--fight? Just give me a chance at that dachshund of a Kaiser with my two bare hands! But --he made the little gesture that she realized was becoming characteristic of him--a gesture of renunciation--
human
I've got to stay here now. There isn't any money in soldiering.
gpt
Money! I never want to hear the word again. Haven't you had enough to do with just 'money,' Archie?
human
Not on your life, he said doggedly.
gpt
I've got to make a heap of it before I'm through. Fifteen thousand dollars!--That reminds me, he went on in another tone.
human
You say they need able-bodied men over there--don't they need women, too? D'you suppose your friend Nikolai could find something for you to do in that unit of his?
gpt
That would please you, wouldn't it? he said quietly.
human
Of course it would mean hard work, dangerous work, too, perhaps--but it's a great chance for you, for anybody! To sort of help make history.... Mr. Nikolai was talkin' to us once about those two kinds of happiness, Hüttengluck and Heldengluck--remember? Well, I don't believe you're the sort to be satisfied with any Hüttengluck--nor I wouldn't want you to be. Take your chance, Joan--and don't lose it. His voice shook a little.
gpt
I'd like mighty well to have somebody of my name mixed up in this war somehow!
human
That's dear of you, Archie--fine and generous. But if your place is here, mine is, too. I am not going to desert you. How can you think such a thing? I mean to be a better wife to you than I have been. We've got to start again, and start right. I want to help you....
gpt
Help! he said roughly.
human
Help? A hell of a lot of help _you_ are! Going around like a martyr, with a don't touch-me, how-dare-you look on your face, as if I'd done the thing just to spite you! My God! A woman with any guts to her--
gpt
Oh, yes, that shocks you--such a fine lady as you are, He seemed to be working himself up, like a woman in hysterics.
human
So grandly indifferent to money, too!--just so's you've got enough of it. Who spent the money, anyway?--tell me that! Was it me, who haven't bought myself so much as a new pair of pants in three years?
gpt
she thought,
human
Oh, yes, glare at me, if I'm good enough for you to glare at!--Let me tell you something--if it's on my account you're staying, you needn't. That's all! It's a _wife_ a man wants at a time like this, not any marble image, not any tragedy-queen! Not any noble character that watches him out of the corner of her eye, and if he's real good--pats him on the hand! I've had enough of that!--Go on with your friend Nikolai, he cried violently.
gpt
Try him out for six months or a year, and if he suits, and you don't want to come back here--by God, you needn't!
human
Archie, she said, trembling in every limb,
gpt
I shall leave your house to-morrow.
human
Good! he cried.
gpt
Good! And I'm going to beat you to it!
human
Come here, Ellen Neal, and bear witness that I'm leaving this house first.
gpt
Was that--was that _Mr. Archie_?
human
Yes, said Joan, still trembling,