human
You want me, miss?
gpt
I couldn't help seeing what happened; I was right here. Please don't think me inquisitive, but would you mind telling me something about your horses? I love them so, and--and--and--I think yours have good blood.
human
Some of the best in the land, miss. Some of the best. How did ye guess it?
gpt
I did not guess it; I knew it. I raise horses.
human
Then you're Miss Stewart from Severndale, ain't ye?
gpt
Yes, and you?
human
I'm jist Jim Bolivar. I live 'bout five mile this side of Severndale. Lived there nigh on ter twenty year, but YO' wouldn't never know me, o' course, though I sometimes drives over to yo' place.
gpt
But how do you expect to drive back all that distance with only one horse? Did you sell the other, or only lend him?
human
He had ter go, miss. Everything's gone ag'in me for over a year; I owed Steinberger fifty dollars; I couldn't pay him; I'd given Salt fer s'curity.
gpt
Salt?
human
Yes'm, Pepper's mate. I named 'em Pepper 'n Salt when they was young colts,
gpt
Oh, I see. That was clever. They DO look like pepper and salt.
human
Did, corrected the man.
gpt
There ain't but one now. But Salt were worth more 'n fifty dollars; yes, he were.
human
He certainly was, acquiesced Peggy.
gpt
Do you want to sell Pepper too?
human
I'd sell my HEART, miss, if I could get things fer Nell.
gpt
Who is Nell?
human
My girl, miss. Nigh 'bout yo' age, I reckons, but not big an' healthy an' spry like yo'. She's ailin' most o' the time, but we's mighty po,' miss, mighty po'. We ain't allers been, but things have gone agin us pretty steady. Last year the hail spoilt the crops, an' oh well, yo' don't want ter hear 'bout my troubles.
gpt
I want to hear about any one's troubles if I can help them. How shall you get back to your place?
human
Reckon I'll have ter onhitch an' ride Pepper back, on'y I jist natchelly hate ter see Nell's face when I get thar 'thout Salt. She set sich store by them horses, an' they'd foiler her anywheres. I sort ter hate ter start, miss.
gpt
Listen to me, said Peggy.
human
What does Nell most need?
gpt
Huh! MOST need? Most need? Well if I started in fer ter tell what she MOST needs I reckon you'd be scart nigh ter death. She needs everythin' an' seems like I can't git nothin'.
human
Well what did you hope to get for her?
gpt
Why she needs some shoes pretty bad, an' the doctor said she ought ter have nourishin' things ter eat, but, somehow, we can't seem ter git many extras.
human
Will you go into the market and get what you'd like from Mr. Bodwell? Here, give him this and tell him Miss Stewart sent you,
gpt
Please give bearer what is needed, and signed her name.
human
Get a good thick steak and anything else Nell would like.
gpt
But I ain't askin' charity, miss.
human
This is for NELL, and maybe I'll buy Pepper--if SHE will sell him,
gpt
I'll do as yo' tell me, miss. Mebbe it's Providence. Nell always says: 'The good Lord'll tell us how, Dad,' an' mebbe she's right, mebbe she is,
human
Dat man's a no' 'count dead beat, Miss Peggy. Yas'm, he is fer a fac', an' he gwine treat dat hawse scan'lous.
gpt
We'll see, was all she said, but Jess chuckled. Most of the help at Severndale knew that look.
human
Jess, unharness that horse and tie him behind the surrey,
gpt
Fo' de Lawd's sake, Miss Peggy, what yo' bown' fer ter do? Yo' gwine start hawsestealin'?