human
You are pleased to love me? she was saying, facing him with maddening grace.
gpt
What is your title to love me, sir?
human
Any man has the right to love, Kit protested sturdily.
gpt
He cannot help it sometimes.
human
Oh, granted; but not to tell it openly.
gpt
What else should a man do? I was never one for secrets.
human
You speak truth. I would not trust you with a secret as far as from here to Nappa. If a child met you on the road, she would read it in your face.
gpt
I was bred that way, by your leave. We Metcalfs do not fear the light.
human
But, sir, you have every right to—to think me better than I am, but none at all to speak of—of love. I had an old Scots nurse to teach me wisdom, and she taught me—what, think you?
gpt
To thieve and raid down Yoredale, said Kit unexpectedly.
human
The Scots had only that one trade, so my father tells me, till the Stuarts came to reign over both countries.
gpt
To thieve and raid? And I—I, too, have come to raid, you say—to steal your heart?
human
You are very welcome to it.
gpt
But do I want it? She put aside her badinage, drew away from him with a fine strength and defiance.
human
Listen, sir. My Scots nurse taught me that a woman has only one heart to give in her lifetime; that, for her peace, she must hide it in the branches of a tree so high that only a strong man can climb it.
gpt
I’m good at tree-climbing,
human
Then prove it.
gpt
Now?
human
Oh, sir, you are blunt and forthright, you men of Nappa! You do not understand the heart of a woman.
gpt
I’m needing you, and cannot wait, he said, fiery and masterful.
human
That’s the way of a man’s heart.
gpt
Then, by your leave, I shall bid you good e’en. No man will ever master me until——
human
Until?
gpt
That is the woman’s secret, sir. It lives at the top of a high tree, that ’until.’ Go climbing, Master Christopher!