human
A--really, Mr. Harkins--I--a--I hadn't the remotest idea, said Mr. Toosypegs, blushing to the very roots of his hair,
gpt
I hope you don't suspect me--
human
Bah! interrupted Mr. Harkins, with a look of disgust;
gpt
Poor thing. Why, I'm real sorry, Mr. Harkins. I dare say she was a real nice old lady, if she'd been let alone,
human
Why, who tetched her?
gpt
Well, they went and transported her son, and I'm sure it wasn't right at all, when he did not want to go. She looked real put out about it that night, herself, too.
human
S'pose you heerd her son was drown-ded?
gpt
Yes; I saw it in the papers, and I was real sorry--I really was. Mr. Harkins, I dare say you was, too?
human
All hands was lost, wasn't they?
gpt
Yes; all hands and feet, said Mr. Toosypegs, venturing on a weak joke; but, catching the stern look of Mr. Harkins, at this improper levity, he instantly grew serious again;
human
A mermaid,
gpt
Mr. Harkins, I'm very much obliged to you, but it wasn't a mermaid, it was a coral reef--that's the name--and went to the bottom with all hands and the cook.
human
Which is a melancholic picture hof the treacherousness hof the hocean, said Mr. Harkins, in a moralizing tone,
gpt
But you know, Mr. Harkins, it's been found out since he wasn't the one who stole the plate, at all. That man they arrested for murder, and are going to hang, confessed he did it. I'm sure you might have seen it in the papers, Mr. Harkins.
human
I don't put no faith hin the papers myself, said Mr. Harkins, in a severe tone;
gpt
But, Mr. Harkins, look here, said Mr. Toosypegs, deeply impressed with this profound view of the newspaper press, in general,
human
I dare say that's true enough, and it's real sensible of you to say so; but in this case it must be true. Why, they're going to hang the man, Mr. Harkins, and he confessed he did that, along with ever so many other unlawful things. I wonder if hanging hurts much, Mr. Harkins?
gpt
Well, I don't know, returned Mr. Harkins, thoughtfully,
human
I never was 'anged myself, but I had a cousin who married a vidder.