human
Oh, said she,
gpt
Well, why not? answered Florian.
human
There! she said quaveringly.
gpt
I knew it was too perfect to be true, and that we'd find some obstacle, and I've found it! That miserable office you'll have to fill!
human
Dear, said he at last,
gpt
I disappointed! exclaimed she.
human
Why, could you bring yourself to give them up? I hate to say it--but--I just detest the whole thing!
gpt
So do I!
human
What a beginning! said Elizabeth.
gpt
To start out in our life with such a mutual deception! But I wanted to have a part in your life, whatever it might be; and I could organize Primrose Leagues, and succeed in them, if it were necessary to help in any ambition of yours. So there! Oh, it was silly to write in that way--but you really seemed at that time----
human
I never did, my dear! It was that Brassfield; and when I was caught and restored by Madame le Claire, I should have declined if it hadn't been for the--the Washington career, you know----
gpt
Oh, please don't say any more----
human
And I had Blodgett get up a letter of withdrawal----
gpt
Do you suppose he has it yet?
human
It does, agreed Amidon,
gpt
Poor Jim Alvord! interposed Elizabeth.
human
His wife says he would desert his family for you.
gpt
For Brassfield, she means, said Amidon.
human
It is really not the same thing, dear. But I was saying that even he half confesses defeat. I've made an awful mess of this thing, Elizabeth, on account of not really knowing anything of the people or their opinions or desires. Even that platform of ours couldn't pull us through. No wisdom--and I haven't much--could keep a man from making blunders when he went out to do things for himself, knowing nothing of the situation except what he got from his inner consciousness, and from what he was told. A political situation is too delicately balanced for that. If I had done nothing, I should have remained undeservedly popular and reaped the reward of Brassfield's cunning and hypocrisy--don't stop me, please! But you and I tried to impose righteousness on the people from the outside and above. It never comes in that way, but always from the inside and below, like lilies from the mud. I'm really a most unpopular man, opposed by most of the 'good citizens' and all of the bad except a few who still believe me dishonest, and will desert me as soon as their fellows can convince them that I'm sincere--isn't it a pretty plot! Facing defeat because of my advocacy of principles everybody concedes to be right, because I'm suspected of an actual intention to act according to my platform pledge; when that man Brassfield, who was preparing to carry out a policy of selfish spoliation, could have carried every precinct!
gpt
It does me so much good, she said,
human
Let's go out, said she,