human
If all that is true, I said,
gpt
No companion for my little lady? he repeated in surprise, with that same softening of his face and tone I had before remarked.
human
There you are wrong. I guard her as the rock guards the little flower which grows in its crevice, as the gardener guards a cherished plant, as the miner guards his rarest gem. I teach her to pray, to kneel in church down yonder, to believe, to hope, to love; because all that is her shield and safeguard against the great false world into which she will have to go. Why, Father Owen himself has scarce done more for her on the score of religion. I tell her tales of the saints and holy people who sleep in the soil of Ireland; but all the while I am a sinner--a black sinner--with but one god, whom I worship with all my might, and for whom I slave day and night.
gpt
You can not be what you say if you have done all that for Winifred,
human
I am what I say! he cried, turning on me with a snarl.
gpt
And so you shall find if you attempt to meddle with me; for I have a secret, and if you were to discover that-- he paused--
human
I believe I would kill you!
gpt
I don't want to meddle with you or to discover your secret; I want to find out if you are a safe companion for Winifred, and if you will help me in a plan I have in view.
human
A plan? he said wildly.
gpt
I knew it was so. A plan to take Winifred away, to undo all my work, to thwart the plans which I have had in my mind for years! Beware how you make the attempt--beware, I tell you!
human
It would be far better than making all these idle threats to confide in me and tell me as much or as little of your plans as you please. I am a stranger; I have no object in interfering in the affair, except that I am deeply interested in Winifred, and would do anything possible for her good. You love the little girl too, so there is common ground on which to work.
gpt
God knows I do love her! he cried fervently.
human
And if I could only believe what you say!
gpt
You may believe it,
human
You never read, perhaps, of the Lagenian mines?
gpt
In the lines of the poet only,