human
Why, are you afraid of people from America?
gpt
No, no, no! came the answer, hurriedly and with the same tone of tremulous eagerness,--
human
Why do you shiver, then, and look like that?
gpt
Because, O Winifred mavourneen, say it is not for you she's come!
human
For _me_! echoed Winifred in astonishment; then she burst into one of her merriest peals of laughter, seizing a handful of leaves and throwing them at him.
gpt
Why do you think that, you dear, old Niall?
human
I suppose I'm getting old and full of fears, the man said.
gpt
The winter of life is like the winter of the years. It has its chills and frosts, its larger share of darkness. But what if one should come and take you away before we are ready--before the work we have to do is done?
human
No one shall take me away unless I like!
gpt
Wilful I know you are as a mountain torrent, Niall answered with a smile;
human
I wish you would not talk so! Winifred said petulantly, tearing to pieces with her slender, delicate fingers a daisy which she had picked up from the grass. She threw the stalk away impatiently.
gpt
There! she cried.
human
By your foolish talk you have made me destroy one of my own little daisies; and I always think of them as little children playing in the long grass, hiding from one another, letting the wind blow them about, and loving the sun, as all children do.
gpt
The same old fancies! he muttered;
human
Why are you talking to yourself like that? she asked.
gpt
It isn't polite.
human
You didn't tell her, daughter of the O'Byrnes--you didn't tell her? Oh, say you didn't! For that would mean ruin--utter, blank ruin.
gpt
So that's all you know of me, Niall, she cried,