human
Sure, then, ma'am, the only way he could come by them is through the old fellow himself, barrin' he gets them from the 'good people.'
gpt
But this Niall is a good man, is he not?
human
I never heard ill of him but that I'm tellin' you of, replied Granny Meehan.
gpt
Still, we're warned that the devil himself can take on the likeness of an angel of light; and if that's so, what's to hinder old Niall from bein' sold body and soul to the devil?
human
Well, I think we'd better give him the benefit of the doubt, I said.
gpt
If he appears to be a good man, let us believe that he is.
human
Yes, mebbe you're right, observed Granny Meehan.
gpt
And the Lord forgive me for speakin' ill of my neighbors! But it's all out of my anxiety for Miss Winifred. The baubles may come not from the powers of darkness at all, but from the 'good people'; and that would be harmless enough, anyhow.
human
In America we have no fairies--or good people, as you call them,
gpt
They tell me they're scarce enough in Ireland these days, Mrs. Meehan replied gravely.
human
It's only here among the hills we have them at all, at all.
gpt
I am afraid I should have to see to believe, I said, laughing.
human
And now, Mrs. Meehan, in all our talk you have not told me who the schoolmaster is.
gpt
The Lord between us and harm! she muttered,
human
But you know.
gpt
Is it _I_ know? she cried.
human
Is it _I_ would be pryin' into such things?
gpt
How absurd! I said, partly vexed.
human
What mystery can there be which makes you afraid even to hint at it?
gpt
A hint I'll give you, she said,
human
Don't for your life--don't make game of things of that sort!
gpt
Well, putting all that aside, I said, with some impatience,
human
Well, it's good and it's bad, she replied, nodding her head impressively.
gpt
Truth to tell, there's so many stories goin' about the schoolmaster that it's hard to know the right from the wrong. There's them, as I was sayin', that declares he's mad, and there's more that'll tell you he's worse. And mind you, ma'am dear, none of them knows about the trinkets I was speakin' of, barrin' Miss Winifred and myself. For she put it on me not to tell; and of course I didn't till the blessed moment when I opened my heart to you, knowin' well that you'd never let a word of what I told you pass your lips.
human
I shall keep the secret, of course, I promised; adding:
gpt
As to the man's character, the truth probably lies somewhere between the two opinions; but I still think him an unsuitable companion for Winifred, because he is likely to fill her head with all kinds of nonsense.
human
It's God's truth you're tellin', said the old woman.
gpt
But Miss Winifred's that fond of him there's no use in talkin' agin him.