human
Drink it all, there's a good soul,
gpt
No! He pushed it away.
human
I feel better already! and he did, for the strong spirit brought colour to his cheek and new strength to his limbs. He stood up in a few minutes, quite himself, and indeed more than himself, since the rum put into him more courage than came by nature.
gpt
Wine maketh glad the heart of man,
human
Rum isn't wine, said Mrs. Coppersley, with a jolly laugh,
gpt
Oh, no! I feel as though I could charge an army,
human
Then wait in the study. She indicated the panelled room with a jerk of her head.
gpt
Jabez will be down from his quarter-deck soon.
human
No. Pence shivered, in spite of the rum, at the thought of again having to face his tempter.
gpt
I must go now. My presence is required in the village.
human
Then you can take a message for me to Mr. Vand, said Mrs. Coppersley, with a slight accession of colour to her already florid face.
gpt
Say that I am coming to Marshely about seven o'clock, and will call at the shop.
human
You ask me to take such a message, sister?
gpt
There is no shame in it that I am aware of, Mr. Pence, she declared violently;
human
Oh, so you desire to marry Henry Vand?
gpt
It's not a question of desiring, said the buxom woman impatiently.
human
Henry and I have arranged to be married this summer.
gpt
He is a cripple.
human
I know that, she snapped,
gpt
His mother looks after him,
human
Does she? inquired Mrs. Coppersley.
gpt
I thought she looked after no one but herself. She's that selfish as never was, so don't you go to defend her, Mr. Pence. Henry, poor boy, who is an angel, if ever there was one, is quite neglected; so I am going to marry him and look after him. So there!
human
Henry has no money,
gpt
As to that, remarked Mrs. Coppersley indifferently,
human
You will have nothing of the sort, said Silas, surprised into saying more than was wise.
gpt
Your brother's daughter will inherit this----
human
Oh, will she? cried Mrs. Coppersley violently,
gpt
Mrs. Coppersley, said Pence, with an effort at firmness,
human
Ho, indeed, interrupted Mrs. Coppersley wrathfully,
gpt
I advise you, said Pence, and his voice sounded strangely in his own ears,
human
I never said that she was. But----
gpt
There is no but. The mere mention of such an engagement would send Captain Huxham crazy.
human
In heaven's name, why?
gpt
Because for some reason he hates Mr. Lister, and would kill him rather than accept him as his son-in-law.
human
Why should Jabez hate Mr. Lister?
gpt
You had better ask him, said Pence, opening the hall door; then to soften his abruptness he added,
human
I'll tell Henry Vand that you will see him.
gpt
I'll point this out to her, said the preacher, as he left the manor-house,