human
What's the price o' eggs this road on?
gpt
Nought. We 'n getten th' hens to lay 'em. Down i' th' market they're four a penny.
human
Eggs--four a penny!
gpt
Ay--they're a bonnie price, aren't they? Ten to a dozen the penny at Keswick. Chickens be twopence and threepence apiece.
human
Charity Ashworth, wilt thou tell me what we've come here for?
gpt
said Charity, sturdily.
human
There's twenty hens i' yon yard at th' end o' th' garden, and two cows i' th' shippen, and three black pigs i' th' sty,--Mistress Joyce ordered 'em--and two pairs o' hands, and two brains, and two hearts, and the grace o' God: and if thou wants aught more, thou'lt have to ask Him for it. So now let's be sharp and see to th' supper.
gpt
I would fain know what manner of neighbours we shall have here, whether pleasant or displeasant; for some of our comfort shall hang thereon.
human
Oh, there's a capital fellow at the Golden Fish, cried Aubrey.
gpt
His name is Tom Rookwood, and his sister Dorothy is the prettiest girl I have seen this month. I know nought of the Angel.
human
Ah! said Hans, and shook his head,
gpt
I have seen the Angel.
human
And is he angelic?
gpt
There be angels good and ill, Hans made answer.
human
Madam, I were best forewarn you--there's a tongue dwelleth there.
gpt
What manner of tongue, Hans?
human
One that goes like a beggar's clap-dish, said he;
gpt
And how much toldest her?
human
Not a word that I could help, answered Hans.
gpt
Indeed, that is the only comfort of her--that she asks questions so fast you can scarce slide in an answer. She was free enough with her information as well-- told me her name, and how many children she had, and that she paid three-and-fourpence the yard for her perpetuance gown.
human
And what is her name?
gpt
Silence Abbott,
human
She scarce answers to it, seemingly,
gpt
Where made you acquaintance with your Tom Rookwood, Aubrey?
human
At the door, said he.
gpt
His father is a gentleman of Suffolk, a younger son of Rookwood of Coldham Hall. He has three sisters,--I saw not the other two; but I say, that Dorothy's a beauty!
human
Well! replied Temperance.
gpt
Folks say, `As mute as a fish'; but it seems to me the Golden Fish is well-nigh as talkative as the Angel. Mind thy ways, Aubrey, and get not thyself into no tanglements with no Dorothys. It shall be time enough for thee to wed ten years hence.
human
And have a care that Mr Rookwood be himself an upright and God-fearing man,
gpt
Oh, he's all right! answered Aubrey, letting Dorothy go by.
human
He saith he can hit a swallow flying at eighty paces.
gpt
More shame for him! cried Edith.
human
What for should he hit a swallow?
gpt
He has promised to show me all sorts of things,
human
Have a care, said Lady Louvaine,