human
Madam, said I,
gpt
I think it only fair to myself to let you understand I have no Gaelic. It is true I was listening, for I have friends of my own across the Highland line, and the sound of that tongue comes friendly; but for your private affairs, if you had spoken Greek, I might have had more guess at them.
human
There is no harm done, said she, with a pretty accent, most like the English (but more agreeable).
gpt
A cat may look at a king.
human
I do not mean to offend, said I.
gpt
I have no skill of city manners; I never before this day set foot inside the doors of Edinburgh. Take me for a country lad--it's what I am; and I would rather I told you than you found it out.
human
Indeed, it will be a very unusual thing for strangers to be speaking to each other on the causeway, she replied.
gpt
But if you are landward[2] bred it will be different. I am as landward as yourself; I am Highland as you see, and think myself the farther from my home.
human
It is not yet a week since I passed the line, said I.
gpt
Less than a week ago I was on the Braes of Balwhidder.
human
Balwhither? she cries;
gpt
I lived with a very honest, kind man called Duncan Dhu Maclaren,
human
Well I know Duncan, and you give him the true name! she said;
gpt
Ay, said I,
human
Where in the great world is such another? she cries;
gpt
I am loving the smell of that place and the roots that grew there.
human
I could be wishing I had brought you a spray of that heather, says I.
gpt
And though I did ill to speak with you at the first, now it seems we have common acquaintance, I make it my petition you will not forget me. David Balfour is the name I am known by. This is my lucky day when I have just come into a landed estate and am not very long out of a deadly peril. I wish you would keep my name in mind for the sake of Balquidder, said I,
human
My name is not spoken, she replied, with a great deal of haughtiness.
gpt
More than a hundred years it has not gone upon men's tongues, save for a blink. I am nameless like the Folk of Peace.[3] Catriona Drummond is the one I use.