human
You are very hospitable, Mr Winthorpe,
gpt
Oh, nonsense! Shame if we who bring you people down from London to do us good here in the fens, could not be a little civil.
human
Well, I must frankly say, Mr--ought I to say Squire Winthorpe?
gpt
No, no, Mr Marston, was the laughing reply,
human
I am only a plain farmer. It is the fashion down here to call a man with a few acres of his own a squire. I'm squire, you see, of a lot of bog.
gpt
Which we shall make good land, Mr Winthorpe, said the engineer.
human
But I was going to say it will be a treat to come over from my lonely lodgings to some one who will make me welcome, for I must say the common people here are rather ill-disposed.
gpt
Only snarling, said the squire.
human
They daren't bite. They don't like any alterations made. Take no notice of their surly ways. The soreness will soon wear off. Cruel thing to do, Mr Marston, turn a piece of swamp into a wholesome field!
gpt
I rather like that young fellow, Dick, said the squire.
human
Knows a deal about antiquities. Little too old for a companion for you, but people who collect butterflies and nettles and flowers generally mix regardless of age.
gpt
Do you think the people about will interfere with the works, father?
human
No, I don't, Dick, said the squire.
gpt
I should like to catch them at it.