human
My land, Bowman, did you ever see such an oven?
gpt
See old Mag Fenn there? I just heard something about her to-day. I bet it's true.
human
What do they say down there about it?
gpt
Well, of course, returned Mrs. Thurston, who was not sure of her ground and had no desire to talk against the rich and powerful,
human
And so the claim agents are signing 'em up for what the Company will give,
gpt
That's about it, Mrs. Herdicker, responded Mrs. Thurston.
human
Times are hard, and they take what they can get now, rather than fight for it. And the most the Company will pay is $400 for a life, and not all are getting that.
gpt
Tom Van Dorn--he's a smooth one, Lizzie--he's a smooth one.
human
You'd think he'd know better--wouldn't you?
gpt
Well, I don't know--it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks,
human
Yes--stenographers and hired girls, and biscuit shooters at the Palace and maybe now and then an excursion across the track; but this is different; this is in his own class. They were both here this afternoon, and you should have seen the way she cooed and billed over Laura Van Dorn. Honest, Lizzie, if I'd never heard a word, I'd know something was wrong. And you should have seen old lady Nesbit give her the come-uppins.
gpt
Lizzie? a pause;
human
They say you've seen 'em together.
gpt
Why I don't know a single thing--only this: that for--maybe a month or so every few days along about five or six o'clock when the roads are good I've seen him coming one way on his wheel, and go down in the country on the Adams road, and about ten minutes later from another way she'd come riding along on her wheel and go down the Adams road into the country following him. Then in an hour or so, they come back, sometimes one of them first--sometimes the other, but I've really never seen them together. She might be going to the Adamses; she boarded there once years ago.
human
Yes,--and she hates 'em! snapped Mrs. Herdicker derisively, and then added,
gpt
Well, it's none of my business so long as they pay for their hats.
human
Well, my land, Mrs. Herdicker, quoth Lizzie,