human
Ben, what are we to do?
gpt
Nothing for now, except you should rest.... I suppose Grandmother will have room for us. If not there's Uncle John at Roxbury.
human
Last night I saw a part of his letter that Father didn't read aloud. Uncle John must be a great infidel.
gpt
What did he write?
human
Marry, I don't know. I think--oh, let it be, Ru. He's a good man, we know that.... I suppose he only meant that the general opinion is not his own, that his own religion is in some manner different.
gpt
Yes, maybe.... Ben, is it true 'tis a hundred miles to Boston and Roxbury?
human
More than a hundred, I believe.
gpt
Will the French be coming down this way, you think?
human
They'd be here now, Ru, if that was their mind. Though I did hear Captain Wells saying a few days ago that if the French found the wit and the forces to drive down the river and hold it, they could cut the Massachusetts in half. But, he said, he thought they hadn't the men, nor the wit to think of it. There'll be no Inj'ans here.
gpt
What'll we do--I mean in Springfield, or Roxbury?
human
Oh, I must be apprenticed to some trade or other. But thou shalt--continue studies. That was Father's wish--'deed it was the very last thing he spoke of before they broke down the door. And 'tis my wish too, remember that. Thou must acquire learning, he said.
gpt
And why should I have that, and thou not have it?
human
I shall too. But being older, I can be apprenticed now, to earn my keep anyway, and I'll find means to study at the same time. I dare say that'll be Grandmother's wish, or Uncle John's.
gpt
What about going to sea?
human
D'you know, I believe that's why I keep thinking of Uncle John and Roxbury. He's a shipowner. If thou couldst stay with him until a little older, and study, why, I might well be able to sign on shipboard for a while, so to earn my way.
gpt
Ben, thou wilt never see thyself.
human
Why? What does that mean?... Who ever can see himself?
gpt
Maybe no one. But thou especially--thou art ever thinking what may be done for others, the while I've thought only of mine own--mine own----
human
Heavens, Ru! I'm selfish enough.
gpt
Not as I've been. Nay, let me say it--it's on me to say it, Ben: I mean to do better, to make thee not ashamed of me. I'm afeared, but I tell thee, I will try to be brave.
human
She may open to us herself, Ru. Remember to take off your cap.