human
There's company up to the bungalow, he spoke from the fullness of his heart;
gpt
A--a widow?
human
Yes. She don't look a day older than Drew's sister, and she's powerful cheerful for an afflicted person. But maybe she ain't afflicted. They ain't, always. She looks as if she was dressing up in them togs for fun, and at first glimpse it strikes one as sacrilegious. Something like a kid using holy words in its play.
gpt
Is--the widow-girl pretty, Jock?
human
Well, a line came between Jock's eyes,
gpt
Jock spoke in this detached way of Constance Drew for self-defense--
human
Drew's sister stands for what she is; a good, honest, handsome girl. You own up to that and that's the end of it. This one sets you thinking. Is she, or ain't she pretty? you keep putting to yourself. Do you like her, or don't you? Is she thinking about what you're saying, or ain't she? That's the way your mind works when you are with her, till it seems a plain waste of time, and riles you way down to the ground. I like a woman what, having passed up her personality, lets you alone as to further guessing 'less you have a mind to guess. Joyce!
gpt
Yes, Jock.
human
They want you up to the bungalow to help along with the Christmas doings. I never saw such happenings in all my life. All St. Angé is going to see what's what for once. Presents for everybody; big party at the bungalow Christmas night; the overflow is going even to reach up to the camps. Boxes and barrels arriving every day from down the State. Lord, but you should see Tom Smith's curiosity! There are big doings. They call it a kind of thanksgiving for the Reverend Kid's recovery; and they want you.
gpt
Oh, Jock! she cried.
human
I couldn't. I just couldn't.
gpt
I thought you couldn't, Jock returned calmly;
human
Thank you. Don't let them feel hurt, but I could not go.
gpt
It's wonderful the grip that weak little Reverend has already got on this town, he went on.
human
He's a sly one. Preaching ain't in it with the undercurrent he's let loose here. It's just sapping the foundations of society. It's setting free a lot of good stuff, but it's striking Tate an all-fired blow.
gpt
Tell me about it, Jock. It seems as if I had been asleep a--long while.