human
What do you lack, masters? with which they generally addressed passers-by would be exchanged for remarks such as,
gpt
Do not trouble the young gentlemen, Nat. Do you not see they are up in the town looking for some of their master's calves? or,
human
Look you, Philip, here are two rustics who have come up to town to learn manners.
gpt
I quite see, Geoffrey, Lionel said, taking his brother by the arm and half dragging him away as he saw that he was clenching his fist and preparing to avenge summarily one of these insults even more pointed than usual,
human
That is true enough, Lionel; but it is not easy to keep one's temper when one is thus tried. I know not how it is they see so readily that we are strangers, for surely we have mixed enough with the earl's family and friends to have rubbed off the awkwardness that they say is common to country folk; and as to our dress, I do not see much difference between its fashion and that of other people. I suppose it is because we look interested in what is going on, instead of strolling along like those two youths opposite with our noses in the air, as if we regarded the city and its belongings as infinitely below our regard. Well, I think we had best be turning back to Master Swindon's; it will not do to be late for our meal.
gpt
Well, young sirs, what do you think of our shops?
human
The shops are well enough, Geoffrey replied;
gpt
They are free in speech, Dame Swindon said,
human
It would almost seem then that the apprentices are in fact the masters,
gpt
Not quite as bad as that, Master Swindon replied.
human
There are the rules which they have to obey when at home, and if not they get a whipping; but it is difficult to keep a hand over them when they are abroad. After the shops are closed and the supper over they have from time immemorial the right to go out for two hours' exercise. They are supposed to go and shoot at the butts; but archery, I grieve to say, is falling into disrepute, and although many still go to the butts the practice is no longer universal. But here is supper.