human
Jacob, my boy, I want you to come down to my old shop one of these days. What day will you be able to come? The lighter will be here for a fortnight at least, I find from Mr Tomkins, as she waits for a cargo coming by canal, and there is no other craft expected above bridge, so tell me what day will you come and see the old woman, and spend the whole day with us. I wants to talk a bit with you, and ax your opinion about a good many little things.
gpt
Indeed! replied I, smiling.
human
What, are you going to build a new house?
gpt
No, no--not that; but you see, Jacob, as I told you last winter, it was time for me to give up night work up and down the river. I'm not so young as I was about fifty years ago, and there's a time for all things. I do mean to give up the craft in the autumn, and go on shore for a _full due_; but, at the same time, I must see how I can make matters out, so tell me what day you will come.
human
Well, then, shall we say Wednesday?
gpt
Wednesday's as good a day as any other day; come to breakfast, and you shall go away after supper, if you like; if not, the old woman shall sling a hammock for you.
human
Agreed, then; but where's Tom?
gpt
Tom, I don't know; but I think he's gone after that daughter of Stapleton's. He begins to think of the girls now, Jacob; but, as the old buffer, her father, says, `it's all human natur'.' Howsomever, I never interferes in these matters: they seem to be pretty well matched, I think.
human
How do you mean?
gpt
Why, as for good looks, they be well enough matched, that's sure; but I don't mean that, I mean, he is quite as knowing as she is, and will shift his helm as she shifts hers. 'Twill be a long running fight, and when one strikes, t'other won't have much to boast of. Perhaps they may sheer off after all--perhaps they may sail as consorts; God only knows; but this I knows, that Tom's sweetheart may be as tricky as she pleases, but Tom's wife won't be--'cause why? He'll keep her in order. Well, good-night; I have a long walk.
human
Has Tom been here?
gpt
What makes you ask that question?
human
To have it answered--if you have no objection.
gpt
Oh, no! Well, then, Mr Jacob, Tom has been here, and very amusing he has been.
human
So he always is,
gpt
And where may you have been? I told her.
human
So you saw old Dominie. Now, tell me, what did he say about me?
gpt
That I shall not tell, replied I;
human
But recollect that he promised.
gpt
He kept his promise, Mary.
human
Oh, he told you so, did he? Did he tell you all that passed?
gpt
No, Mary, he never told me that he had been here, neither did he tell me what had passed; but I happen to know all.
human
I cannot understand that.
gpt
Still, it is true; and I think, on the whole, you behaved pretty well, although I cannot understand why you gave him a kiss at parting.
human
Good heaven! where were you? You must have been in the room. And you heard every word that passed?
gpt
Every word,
human
Well, said Mary,
gpt
I could not have believed that you could have done so mean a thing.
human
Mary, rather accuse your own imprudence; what I heard was to be heard by everyone in the street as well as by me. If you choose to have love scenes in a room not eight feet from the ground, with the window wide open, you must not be surprised at every passer-by hearing what you say.
gpt
Well, that's true. I never thought of the window being open; not that I would have cared if all the world had heard me, if _you_ had not.