human
A marvel, Sir Adam (perceive me), a wonder! The constitution of a horse, an ox, nay an elephant, the which monstrous beast (you'll allow me!) hath a pachydermatous hide tolerably impervious to spears, axes, darts, javelins and the like puny offences, and a constitution whereby he liveth (you'll observe) whole centuries. Indeed, Sir Adam, 'tis a cure marvellous, being one I ha' wrought on my patient in spite of said patient. For look now (and heed me) here we have soul, mind and will, or what you will, pulling one way, and body hauling t'other, and body hath it, physics versus metaphysics--a pretty and notable case--
gpt
Why, he hath a notable hard head, Master Penruddock--
human
Head, Sir Adam, head--were his head as adamantine, as millstone or hard as one o' your cannon balls that shall not save him, if mind and body agreeably seek and desire death, and mind (pray understand, sir) is the more potent factor, thus (saving and excepting the abnormal vigour of his body) by all the rules of chirurgical science he should ha' died three days agone--when the seizure took him.
gpt
Would to heaven I had!
human
Aha, and there we have it confessed, Sir Adam! said he.
gpt
Yet we shall have him on his legs again in a day or so, thanks to my art--
human
And his lady's nursing!
gpt
What, hath she been with me in my sickness, Adam?
human
Night and day, Martin, as sweet and patient with you as any angel in heaven, and you cursing and reviling her the while in your ravings--
gpt
Oh, God forgive me! Where is she now, Adam?
human
With my Lady Joan--
gpt
How? I cried.
human
Was this Joanna nursed me?
gpt
Why, truly, Martin. Could she have better employ?
human
Lord love you, Martin, said he, pinching his chin,
gpt
I begin to think that skull o' yours is none so hard, after all--
human
And you, quoth I bitterly.
gpt
Your wits are none so keen as I had judged 'em. You are grown a very credulous fool, it seems!
human
Ha--'tis very well, shipmate!
gpt
For here you have Joanna--this evil creature stained by God knoweth how many shameful crimes--you have her beneath your hand and let her come and go as she lists, to work such new harms as her cunning may suggest--either you disbelieve my statements, or you've run mad, unless--
human
Unless what, Martin?
gpt
Unless she's bewitched you as she hath full many a man ere now.