human
Seems as though this weather was just made for us, don't it, father?
gpt
I dun'no'--seems sometimes to me as though I'd ruther have winter come and be done with it. If we've got to go as soon as cold weather sets in, we might as well go and have it over with. As 'tis, I keep on saying good-by in my mind to things and folks every minute, and then get up in the morning to begin it all again. This afternoon I was down the river where I saved Hiram's life when he was a little fellow--the old black whirl-hole. I got to thinking about that time, I never was real sure till then I wouldn't be a coward if it come right down _to_ it. Seems as though I'd been more of a man ever since. It's been a real comfort to me to look at that whirl-hole, and that afternoon it come over me that after this there wouldn't be a single thing any more to remind us of anything _good_ or bad, we've ever done. It'll be most as if we hadn't lived at all. I just felt as though I _couldn't_ go away from everything and everybody I've ever known down to Hiram's stuffy little flat. And yet I suppose we are real lucky to have such a good son as Hiram now the others are all gone. I dun'no' what we'd do if 'tweren't for him.
human
Do! cried his wife bitterly.
gpt
We could go on living right in this valley where we belong, if 'twas only in the poor-house!
human
Well, I suppose it's really flying in the face of Providence to feel so. The doctor says your lungs ain't strong enough to stand another of our winters in the mountains, fussing over stove fires, and zero weather and all, and I'm so ailing I probably wouldn't last through, either. He says it's a special dispensation that we've got such a nice place to go where there's steam heat, and warm as summer, day and night.
gpt
Nathaniel! exclaimed his wife, attempting to turn her bulky body toward him in the energy of her protest,