human
A stone axe, not steel, said Joseph Cory, and nodded to Ben as one man to another.
gpt
No good against our oak.
human
Will you shoot through the door?
gpt
Nay--only waste a bullet. Ben, thou art a man--if I'm lost, take care of thy mother and Reuben. Be ready. Readiness--I mean _alway_--later--all thy life--readiness, wherein I've failed.
human
You've not failed.
gpt
No time for kindness. He shook Ben's arm.
human
Ben--if God liveth he is far away.
gpt
Ben, hear me, said Goodman Cory.
human
I say God is far away, no whit concerned with man.
gpt
Deliver us, said Adna Cory--
human
I wanted learning, Ben. Find more than I did.
gpt
But Father, you know so much----
human
I? Learning--oh, a key to so many doors! Why, I never found but a few, sniffing at the threshold, a fool, a bumpkin. And Reuben must find learning too. He pulled Ben close, crouching, whispering:
gpt
Ben, hear me. I fear for Reuben. I pray you, keep him from being too much wounded. I can't understand him, Ben. Thou art mine own, I _know_ thee--while he--nay, I haven't words....
human
But Father, you will----
gpt
The devils have found a log. Why, Ben, I shall live if I may.