human
Earth, lay light upon the lighter-boy--the lotus, the water-lily, that hath been cast on shore to die. Hadst thou lived, Jacob, I would have taught thee the Humanities; we would have conferred pleasantly together. I would have poured out my learning to thee, my Absalom, my son!
gpt
Dominie!
human
O God, I thank thee--he will live. Hush, hush, my sweet one, thou must not prate; and he retired on tiptoe, and I heard him mutter triumphantly, as he walked away,
gpt
He called me `Dominie!'
human
All that I can do for him, Mr Dobbs, said my former master,
gpt
The regulations do not exactly, but I will, replied the Dominie.
human
I have asked nothing for my long services, and the governors will not refuse me such a slight favour; should they, I will charge myself with him, that he may not lose his precious time. What sayest thou, Jacob, dost thou feel inclined to return to thy father Thames?
gpt
Thou hast decided well, Jacob--the tailor at his needle, the shoemaker at his last, the serving boy to an exacting mistress, and all those apprenticed to the various trades, have no time for improvement; but afloat there are moments of quiet and peace--the still night for reflection, the watch for meditation; and even the adverse wind or tide leaves moments of leisure which may be employed to advantage. Then wilt thou call to mind the stores of learning which I have laid up in thy garner, and wilt add to them by perseverance and industry. Thou hast yet six months to profit by, and, with the blessing of God, those six months shall not be thrown away.