human
Friend of hers?
gpt
Yes, says I,
human
Who's there?
gpt
A friend,
human
Pass, friend,
gpt
Come in,
human
Miss Green, I said,
gpt
Yes?
human
As for you, Miss Green, I said,
gpt
I don't know,
human
I don't have to ask, said I, blushing red,
gpt
Where, said I,
human
We disband to-night, she said,
gpt
I suppose you know, said I,
human
I know, she said,
gpt
They aren't, I said,
human
And you, she said, flaring up,
gpt
Don't be a little goat!
human
What do you want me to do?
gpt
I'll tell you, I said; and I found that it wasn't easy.
human
First place, I said,
gpt
I've got some money saved up. That will keep you on Easy Street till I get back from Sydney. If by that time nothing's turned up that you want of your own free heart and will, I'll ask you to pay me back by--by changing your name.
human
That, said I,
gpt
You mean, she said,
human
But I don't see your point of view, she cried.
gpt
Just because you're sorry for a girl don't mean you want to make her your wife.
human
It isn't sorrowing, I said.
gpt
It's wanting. It's the right kind of wanting. It's the wanting that would rather wait than hurt you; that would rather do without you than hurt you.
human
And you'll trust me with all your savings and go away to Australia--and if I find some other man that I like better you'll let me off from marrying you? Is that it?
gpt
That's about it,
human
And suppose, says she,
gpt
Well, said I,
human
We have, said she.
gpt
And now look here--I don't know how much of it's wanting and how much of it's fear--but if you'll take chances I will.
human
In words of two syllables, said I,
gpt
I mean, she said--and she was still as red as a beet, but this time she looked me in my eyes without a flinch in hers--
human
Every word, I said.
gpt
That is right.
human
What a lot we'll have to tell each other, she said,
gpt
Sure that I want you? Yes, I said;
human
You've begun, she said,
gpt
Hadn't you better think it over? I said.
human
Hadn't you?
gpt
If an angel with wings had come with gifts, she said,
human
It isn't fair, I mumbled.
gpt
I give you a choice between the streets and me and you feel forced to choose me.
human
There, said she--
gpt
she said;
human
I thought, said I,
gpt
Wait? said she, turning her back and standing still, which most women haven't sense enough to do when a man's ten thumbs are trying to hook them up.
human
I've been waiting all my life for this--and you!
gpt
And I, said I, splitting a thumb-nail,
human
What is your church?
gpt
Same as yours, I said,
human
Does it matter, said she,
gpt
No, said I;
human
Always, she said,
gpt
Then I will, said I;
human
Sometimes, she said,
gpt
I've been shaken about God. Was to-night--before you came. But He's made good--hasn't He?
human
He has, I said.
gpt
And now you're hooked up. And I wish it was to do all over again. I loved doing it.
human
Did you?