human
Mr. Dennehy! I didn't know you were coming here to-day.
gpt
No more did I, Mrs. Maxon, till a couple of hours ago. I found I had nothing to do, so I ran down to see how you were all getting on.
human
Some of us are just getting off, smiled Winnie.
gpt
You're in time to say good-bye.
human
Why, where are you off to? I'm sorry you're going.
gpt
Well?
human
You're all heathens here, and it's no good talking to you as if you were anything else.
gpt
I'm not a heathen, but if the Church backs up the State in unjust laws----
human
Even a heathen tribe has its customs. Any customs better than none! Ye can't go against the custom of the tribe for nothing. I speak as heathen to heathen.
gpt
Can't customs ever be changed?
human
You're not strong enough for the job, Mrs. Maxon.
gpt
You call me a heathen. Suppose it was A.D. 50 or 100, and not A.D. 1909. I think you'd be a heathen, and I--well, at any rate I should be trying to screw up my courage to be a Christian martyr.
human
Oh, you're all very clever! he grumbled.
gpt
I'll bet Stephen taught you that. That's from his mint, if I know the stamp! Take it as you say then--are you looking forward to your martyrdom?
human
I don't look very unhappy, do I?
gpt
Going off with him to-day, are you? She nodded gaily. The natural man suddenly asserted itself in Dennehy. He smiled.
human
It's more than the young dog deserves, sure it is!
gpt
Oh, well, you're being a heathen now!
human
I'm wondering what Mrs. Lenoir will say about it.
gpt
Why should Mrs. Lenoir be any judge of a case like mine?
human
Oh, I'm not making comparisons, he murmured vaguely. Still there was a point of comparison in his mind. Mrs. Lenoir, too, had been a rebel against the custom of the tribe, and, though the motives of rebellion differ, the results may be the same.
gpt
Well, I'll wish you luck anyhow, he continued, holding out his hand.
human
I hope he'll make you happy, for you're giving him a lot, by the powers, you are!
gpt
I hope I'm giving anything like as much as I'm getting.