human
There, you’ll bear no grudge, lad, he said, with quick compunction.
gpt
I only jested.
human
Was it a jest, sir?
gpt
A jest. No more.
human
Then I’ll tell you what I learned at York. The Roundheads have eaten bare the countryside. Their leaders are at variance. Within the city the garrison is eating horseflesh, and little of that. Lord Newcastle bade me give you the one message. Find Rupert, and bring him here to raise the siege. That is the message.
gpt
Then we’ve work to do,
human
put in Michael peremptorily.
gpt
I took the hazard, sir. See you, the business would be noised abroad if six-score of us went galloping across to Lancashire, or to Oxford, wherever he may be. I pledge myself to find Rupert and to bring him.
human
Since when did you find gravity?
gpt
Since I found my comrade and bought her for two guineas, with some market produce thrown into the bargain. Our folk will see to the welfare of this donkey, sir? She’s our luck.
human
What did you learn in York, Michael?
gpt
What you’d have learned, if you had not been up the hill to see if you could catch a glimpse of Ripley Castle, said Michael, roughened by a sharp gust of jealousy.
human
Ah, the guess goes home, does it? How does it fare with Mistress Joan?
gpt
Oh, very well, the last I heard.
human
And it fares very well with me. I go to bring Rupert from the West—to bring Rupert. Ah, your face reddens at the thought of it!