human
You don't seem to be much troubled wi' sickness yourself,
gpt
No, I am not, which is a blessin'. I hope that Mrs Massey ain't ill?
human
No; my Nell is never ill, returned the coxswain, in a hearty tone.
gpt
She'd have been suppin' along with us to-night, but she's nursin' that poor sick lad, Ian Stuart, that's dyin'.
human
Is the lad really dyin'?
gpt
Well, it looks like it. The poor little fellow seemed to me past recoverin' the day he came on board, and the stuffy cabin, wi' the heavin' o' the ship, has bin over much for him.
human
The doctor says there's no hope, she said.
gpt
The poor boy may last a few days, so he tells us, but he may be taken away at any moment. Pour me out a cup o' tea, Bob. I must go back to him immediately. His poor mother is so broken down that she's not fit to attend to him, and the father's o' no use at all. He can only go about groanin'. No wonder; Ian is their only child, Bob--their first-born. I can't bear to think of it.
human
But you'll break down yourself, Nell, if you go nursin' him every night, an' all night, like this. Surely there's some o' the women on board that'll be glad to lend a helpin' hand.
gpt
I know _one_ who'll be only too happy to do that, whether she's well or ill,
human
Sure it's durty weather we're goin' to have, annyhow.