human
I hardly thought ever to have seen you here, Miss Harrington, he said, trying to be cordial, and yet not able entirely to conceal his sense of the neglect which he had experienced.
gpt
Oh! I don't know, replied Dora, who would willingly have been indifferent to the reproof which she felt was implied;
human
So they are, so they are, answered Stephen;
gpt
Here is my brother come to see you, too, said Dora, turning to the door to look for Frank, who had lingered on the outside.
human
You cannot find fault with him, for he only arrived on Thursday.
gpt
Master Frank! exclaimed the old man, while his clear, gray eyes were lighted up with an unusual expression of pleasure;
human
No, not coming, said Amy;
gpt
Here he is, really! exclaimed Amy, as Dora re-entered the cottage, followed by Frank.
human
I am sure, Stephen, you did not quite believe us.
gpt
Yes, it's like, very like, at length he said, in a low voice, as if speaking to himself;
human
Oh Stephen! exclaimed Amy, who had caught the words, notwithstanding the tone in which they were spoken,
gpt
No, replied Stephen,
human
Do you remember what any of us were like, Stephen, when we left Emmerton?
gpt
Remember! repeated the old man.
human
Who wouldn't remember those who were as his own children? Ah! Miss Harrington, 'twas a sad day when the master told me he was going; but 'twould have been still more sad if I had known that there was one who was never to return.
gpt
And did you love him then so much, he said, earnestly, forgetting, at the sight of her distress, the neglect and indifference which he had so much felt.
human
Ah! 'twas right and natural, for he was the flower of all; and bitter it must have been to lose him, for 'twas your first sorrow; but if God should spare you to live as many years as I have done, Miss Harrington, you will learn, when you lay your treasures in the cold earth, to thank God for taking them out of a sinful world.
gpt
It is hard for Miss Harrington to think so now, Stephen, said Miss Morton, fearing lest his words and manner might increase Dora's grief.
human
At her age there is so much to hope for, that it is impossible to expect it.
gpt
And I don't expect it, said Stephen;
human
I only tell her so now, that she may think of my words when I am gone; and I know that they are true, for I have felt it. I had four once, and I loved them all as my own life. The master himself and the family were not nearer to me, nor so near as they were; and when the first of them was carried to his grave, I thought that my heart would have broke; but God gave me to think better afterwards, for He sent me many a hard trial; and so, when my spirit was turned in a manner from the earth, He called for all the rest, one after another; and I watched them till the hour of their death, and heard that their trust was in Him; and then I laid them to their rest, and blessed Him for His mercy, for I knew that sickness and sorrow might knock at my door, but they could never knock at theirs.
gpt
You don't half believe me, Miss Amy, he said,
human
To die!
gpt
It sounds hard, said Stephen;