human
If your wife has no objections, I want you to do me a favor, Harry,
gpt
It's just this, he explained.
human
You deal with Grantly at the railroad settlement, and it's possible that he may not have formed a very accurate opinion of my character. In fact, I shouldn't wonder if odd things the boys have said have prejudiced him against me.
gpt
It's quite likely,
human
Then I want you to assure him that I'm a perfectly responsible and reliable person.
gpt
Aren't you asking rather more than Harry could consistently do?
human
Well, Thorne replied thoughtfully,
gpt
It wouldn't, assented Mrs. Farquhar with uncompromising decision.
human
Are you going to make some new venture?
gpt
I have a hazy notion that I might take up a quarter-section and turn farmer.
human
But why?
gpt
If you don't get your crop hailed out, droughted, or frozen, you can now and then pick up a few dollars that way, Thorne explained.
human
Besides, a farmer is a person of acknowledged status on the prairie.
gpt
Have you any other reasons--more convincing ones?
human
If I have, they may appear by and by--when, for instance, I've doubled my holding and raised a record crop on three hundred and twenty acres.
gpt
It isn't done in a day,
human
It depends on how you begin; and commencing with a tent, a span of oxen, and one breaker-plow doesn't appeal to me. I want a couple of horse teams, the latest implements and the best seed I can get my hands on.
gpt
I guess my word alone won't induce Grantly to let you have them--still, I'll do what I can.
human
If anything more is wanted Hunter will be given an opportunity for supplying it. I don't see any reason why I shouldn't distribute my favors.
gpt
And when does the rash experiment begin?
human
It won't be an experiment. If I take hold, which isn't quite certain yet, I'll stay with the thing.
gpt
I'll take a long drive round all the outlying settlements and work off a last frolic first.
human
Yes, observed his hostess,