human
Well, we'll see. If Adrian had not come, maybe my uncle would never have told me all he has. The letter was written, you know that, because he feared he might not live to tell it with his lips. And even when he was getting better he thought I still should learn the truth, and the written pages held it all. I'm so glad I know. Oh! Angelique, think! How happy, how happy we shall be when my father comes home!
gpt
Pierre's too big to have his ears boxed. I don't wonder he hates it. I think I would--would box back again if anybody treated me to that indignity.
human
Pst. Pouf! you are you, and Pierre is Pierre; and as long as he is in the world and I am, if his ears need boxin', I shall box them. I, his mother.
gpt
Oh! very well. Suit yourself. But now, Angelique!
human
Well? I must go set the churn. Yes, I've wasted too much time, already, bein' taught my manners by a chit of a thing like you. Yes. I have so. Indeed, yes.
gpt
Come, Angelique. Be good. When you were young, and lived in the towns, did the girls who went a-journeying wear bonnets?
human
Did they not? And the good Book that the master reads o' nights, sayin' the women must cover their heads. Hmm. I've thought a many time how his readin' and his rearin' didn't go hand in glove. Bonnets, indeed! Have I not the very one I wore when I came to Peace Island. A charmin' thing, all green ribbons and red roses. I shall wear it again, to my Pierre's weddin'. 'Tis for that I've been savin' it. And, well, because a body has no need to wear out bonnets on this bit of land in water. No.
gpt
I should pity his wife, for I expect her ears would have to be boxed, also.
human
Come yon. I've that I will show you. 'Tis your mother's own lovely clothes. Just as she wore them here, and carefully folded away for you till you needed them. Well, that is now, I suppose, if you're to be let gad all over the earth, with as good a home as girl ever had right here in the peaceful woods.
gpt
Oh! show them to me, Angelique. Quick. Why have you never before? Of course, I shall need them now. And, Angelique! That is some more of the beautiful plan. The working out of the pattern. Else why should there be the clothes here when I need clothes? Answer me that, good Angelique, if you can.
human
Pst. 'Twas always a bothersome child for questions. But answer one yourself. If you had had them before would you have had them ready now, and the pleasure of them? No. No, indeed. But come. The clothes and then the churnin'. If that Pierre were here, 'twould not be my arms would have to ache this night with the dash, dash, dashin'. No. No, indeed, no. But come.
gpt
Why, Angelique! What a tiny thing she must have been! I can't get even my hand through the wrist of this sleeve. And look here. This skirt is away up as short as my own. If I've to wear short ones I'll not change at all. In the pictures, I've seen lovely ladies with skirts on the ground and I thought that was the way I should look if I ever went into the world.
human
Eh? What? Lovely? You? Hmm. Lovely is that lovely does. Vanity is a disgrace to any woman. Has not the master said that often and often?
gpt
I don't think I should feel at all vain if I put on any of these things. That is, if I could even get them on. I should all the time be thinking how uncomfortable I was. Well, that's settled. I wear my own clothes, and not even my dear mother's. Hers I will always keep for her sake; but to her great daughter they are useless. And I'll go bareheaded just as here. Why not? I certainly don't need a bonnet, with all this hair.