human
Undoubtedly prayers are answered, if one prays long enough, she said, in her odd, imperative way.
gpt
There’s been a siege of Ripley Castle, a stealthy siege, and I’ve needed men about me.
human
We are free for your service, said the Squire.
gpt
Indeed, we were in fear of idleness, after doing what was asked at Skipton yesterday.
human
There’s no speed of attack in this venture. She read the man’s need for blows and the gallop, and would not tempt him into a promise rashly given.
gpt
You will understand, Mr. Metcalf, that my house is a hospital just now. Whenever a Cavalier takes wounds too hard for him, he drags himself to Ripley. The countrymen all know my mind; and, when they find a lame dog of the King’s, they bring him to my gate. The garrison of my good castle, I tell you frankly, is made up of women and sick men.
human
But we’re no nurses, protested the Squire, with laughable simplicity.
gpt
You’d have six-score other ailing men if you shut us up indoors.
human
We could not house you, sir. If there’s scarce room for you in Ripley’s street, you would overfill the castle. I have other work for you.
gpt
In the open?
human
Ah, your eagerness! Yes, in the open. Keep our gates safe from without, sir. There are few hale men among the garrison, and these are wearied out with sleeplessness. Prowling companies of Roundheads come this way, giving us no rest. They know Sir William Ingilby is with the King, they know I keep open house here for Cavaliers——
gpt
Bid your household rest, the Squire broke in.
human
There are six-score of us here—judge for yourself whether we’re big enough to guard you.
gpt
Big enough, she assented, with a brisk, friendly nod.
human
But how to feed your company, sir?
gpt
We feed ourselves, laughed the Squire.
human
It seemed a fat country as we rode through. Mutton—and corn for our horses—wherever these are, there’s a meal for us.