human
Right now, he told them, as the afternoon light began to fade with the drawing near of the time for sunset,
gpt
I remember hearing a man speaking that name on the train when we were nearing your station, Uncle! exclaimed Toby;
human
All of which is about as true as it can be, was the reply.
gpt
Six months ago I had the misfortune to run foul of this same Zack. He was even then half under the influence of liquor, and very abusive. I could have stood it for myself, but when the big brute raised his hand, and knocked down a half-grown girl who had chanced to stumble, and fall against him, in the store, it was too much for my blood.
human
You gave him what he deserved, didn't you, Uncle?
gpt
Well, I knocked him down three times in succession, for he had come at me with a knife the second and third times. After that he lay there, and was counted out. Now I was never proud of having upset a brawling bully like that when half-seas over, but it had to be done to pay him for striking that poor child. I heard afterwards that he was furious at me, and vowed he would get even, if he had to come all the way up here to where I held out, and settle his debt.
human
But he might take a sudden notion to visit you, when feeling in a particularly ugly mood, Uncle, Toby remarked, soberly,
gpt
Well, I thought of that and for a time never went outside these walls without carrying a gun along; but months have passed, and he does not show up, which I take it means he is too big a coward to risk his ears trying to do me an ill turn. And of late I've neglected any of those precautions. When first I saw my fox trap had been tampered with, and that valuable prize taken, I thought of what Zack Arnold had sworn, and was sure it must be his work. But let's forget about such an unpleasant subject, and have a little music for a change.