human
Lan' of mercy! she exclaimed, returning with a smoking waffle-iron.
gpt
I clean forgot these, and they're burned to ashes. Here, don't you drink that cold coffee, I'll heat it up again, she said, taking the cup. Leaning closely to his ear, she whispered,
human
Mind, you ain't to tell a living soul about what I said, and him above all others.
gpt
Good morning.
human
Purty nigh never woke up. You'd otter have come up and tumbled me out, Mack.
gpt
Rest well, did you?
human
Just tolerable. Clemmie, he called,
gpt
I seem to smell something burning. There ain't nothing, be there?
human
We was busy talking, and them irons got too hot.
gpt
Talking, be you? Don't 'pear to have agreed with neither of you more than it did with those irons.
human
You didn't pass a mirror on the way down this morning, or you'd not be crowing so loud, Josiah.
gpt
No, that's a fact I didn't. You see, Eadie busted mine during that cleaning raid, and I can't afford a new one.
human
You must have hit your funny-bone, or something,
gpt
Now, don't get mad, Clemmie. I was just fooling. Mack understands me purty well, and he'll tell you that I didn't mean nothing by what I said.
human
Josiah Pott! You're that disrespectful that I've a good mind to scold you.
gpt
What's up now, Clemmie?
human
The very idea! You calling the minister by his first name.
gpt
I've done it ever since I knowed him, and he wouldn't like me to change now. Hey, Mr. McGowan?
human
Call me by my first name, Cap'n. Too much dignity doesn't sit well on your shoulders. You needn't mind, Miss Pipkin, for that is a habit that was formed before I became a minister, and there is no disrespect, I assure you.
gpt
You mean you two knowed each other before you come here?
human
You see, Mack come to me one summer when I was starting on a cruise, and he was such a good sailor that we spent four seasons together after that.
gpt
You never told me that,
human
I didn't think to, Clemmie. Mack, have some more of these waffles. They're mighty tasty. It takes Clemmie to cook 'em to a turn.
gpt
Just listen to that! rejoined the housekeeper.
human
He ain't had none yet.
gpt
Mack, you ain't going to let them hypocrites and wolves in sheep's clothing come right up and steal your appetite out of your mouth, be you?
human
You don't know what you're missing, declared the Captain, smacking his lips to make the waffles appear more appetizing.
gpt
Have just one. Maybe your appetite is one of them coming kind, and I'll swan if 'tis that one taste of these would bring it with a gallop.
human
Don't urge him if he don't want 'em, Josiah.
gpt
Cal'late your talking must have gone to his stomach, hey, Clemmie?
human
Josiah! she exclaimed, coloring.
gpt
He'll soon forget all I said to him.
human
You sartin give it to 'em good last night, Mack. It was the best I ever heard. Got most of 'em where they lived, and you took 'em out into the deep beyond their wading-line, too. How about you, Clemmie?
gpt
Yes, Mack, that sure was a ringer, continued the Captain as he helped himself to another layer of waffles.
human
Wonder if Clemmie took what you said about launching out as literal?
gpt
Thanks, Clemmie. I was 'feared you'd be setting out to sea in my dory after hearing that sermon last night, he said banteringly, with a twinkle in his eyes.
human
You'd best explain that your meaning was figur'tive, Mack. I looked up that word once and it means----
gpt
Josiah Pott! How can you be so cruel!
human
I'll swear, if she ain't crying! exclaimed the surprised seaman.
gpt
What in tarnation do you suppose is up, Mack? You don't cal'late she thought I was relating to her for earnest, do you?
human
You'd better leave her alone.
gpt
But I never meant nothing. She'd otter know that. I'm going to tell her, he said, pulling away from the minister, and trying the closed door.
human
Clemmie, be sensible, and come out of there. I didn't mean nothing, honest, I didn't.