human
Sal, whut ails ye?
gpt
I want to git a larnin'! she broke out.
human
I don't want to go back to the hills.
gpt
That passel of fool women's been workin' on ye, he cried hoarsely,
human
Yes, Pop, yes! she gasped, terrified at the storm she had raised.
gpt
I'm a-goin' back with you. Don't tek on so, Pop, I'm a-goin'!
human
I should say you _wuz_ goin' back! I'd like to see any of 'em try to keep you. They'd like to make one o' them dressed-up doll women outen you! You're goin' back with me to the Fork, an' ef thar's ever any more nussin' er doctorin' to do, I'm a-goin' to do hit. I've nussed three women on their deathbeds, an' when your time comes I 'low I kin handle you too.
gpt
Sal, he said almost persuasively,
human
I know it, Pop, Sally said miserably.
gpt
You growed old in the hills afore you ever seen the Settlements. But sence I got a sight of whut folks is a-doin' down here, 'pears like I can't be reconciled to goin' back. 'Tain't the work back home, nor the lonesomeness, tho' the Lord knows the only folks thet ever does pass is when they're totin' deads down the creek bottom. Hit's the feelin' of bein' shet off from my chanct. Ef I could git a larnin' I wouldn't ask nothin' better then to go back an' pass it along. When I see these here gals a-larnin' how to holp the sick, an' keer fer babies, an' doctor folks, I lay here an' steddy 'bout all the good I could do back home ef I only knowed how.
human
You do know how, Pop declared vociferously;
gpt
But think whut the doctor did fer me,
human
I ain't fergittin', Pop said suddenly,
gpt
I believe he's been buying clothes to take Sally home in! said one of the nurses, who was watching him from an upper window.
human
He asked me this morning if I knew a place where he could buy women's togs.
gpt
It's a shame he won't let the girl stay, said Miss Fletcher.
human
I have been talking to the superintendent, and she is quite willing to let her do light work around the hospital and pick up what training she can. I should be glad enough to look after her, and there's a good night school two blocks over.
gpt
Why don't you talk to the old man? urged the nurse.
human
You are the only one who has ever been able to do anything with him. Perhaps you could make him see what an injustice he is doing the girl.
gpt
I believe I'll try,