human
Well, well! To think of all the years since you came singing carols to my door! You remember it, don't you? . . . Of course you do. 'Doctor,' I said, 'don't talk foolish. _She'll_ not forget. _I_ know Mary O'Neill. She may be going to be a great lady, but haven't I nursed her on my knee?'
gpt
Then you've heard what's to happen?
human
Aw yes, woman, yes, she answered in a sadder tone, I thought.
gpt
Everybody's bound to hear it--what with the bands practising for the procession, and the bullocks roasting for the poor, and the fireworks and the illuminations, and I don't know what.
human
But it's all as one if you love the man, even if he _is_ a lord.
gpt
You think that's necessary, don't you?
human
What, _millish?_
gpt
Love. You think it's necessary to love one's husband?
human
Goodness sakes, girl, yes. If you don't have love, what have you? What's to keep the pot boiling when the fire's getting low and the winter's coming on, maybe? The doctor's telling me some of the fine ladies in London are marrying without it--just for money and titles and all to that. But I can't believe it, I really can't! They've got their troubles same as ourselves, poor things, and what's the use of their fine clothes and grand carriages when the dark days come and the night's falling on them?
gpt
Martin's, said his mother, to whom they were precious as rubies.
human
He won them at swimming and running and leaping and climbing and all to that. Aw, yes, yes! He was always grand at games, if he couldn't learn his lessons, poor boy. And now he's gone away from us--looking for South Poles somewheres.
gpt
I know--I saw him in Rome,
human
Saw him? In Rome, you say? After he sailed, you mean?
gpt
Father, she saw himself in Rome after he sailed.