human
And what were you going to do with your brother when you made your fine plans for the summer?
gpt
Archie's at the school, you know,
human
Yes; he's at the school just now. But he wasn't going to stop at the school, surely, when you went to the herding?
gpt
Oh yes; he is far better at the school.
human
Ay, he's better at the school than playing. But wherefore should not he go to the weeding or the herding as well as you?
gpt
Archie! Why, he's but a child! What could he do?
human
And what are you but a child? asked Nancy, smiling.
gpt
I'm thinking there is little over the twelve months between you.
human
But Archie never was strong. It would never do to expose him to all kinds of weather or to fatigue. Don't you mind such a cripple as he was when we came here? You used to think he wouldn't live long. Don't you mind?
gpt
Yes, I mind; but he did live, and thrive too; and he's the most life-like of the two to-day, I'm thinking. Fatigue, indeed! and he ranging over the hills with that daft laddie Davie Graham, and playing at the ball by the hour together! What should ail him, I wonder?
human
But even if Archie were strong and well, and could gain far more than I can, it would yet be far better for him to be at the school. A man can do so little in the world if he has no education; and now is Archie's time to get it.
gpt
Well, it may be. And when's your time coming?
human
Oh, it is quite different with me, said Lilias, with a feeble attempt at a laugh.
gpt
A woman can slip through the world quietly, you know. I shan't need learning as Archie will. And, besides, I can do a great many things; and I can learn though I don't go to the school.
human
Learn, indeed! and slip through the world quietly! exclaimed Mrs Stirling, with an expression of mingled pity and contempt.
gpt
These may be your doctrines, but they're not mine. But it's easy seen what will be the upshot of this. It's just your aunt and your father over again. She would have laid her head beneath Alex Elder's feet, if it would have pleasured him; and you are none behind her. Such ways are neither for your good nor his. There are plenty of folk that'll say to-day that your father would have been a stronger man if he hadn't been so much spared as a laddie.
human
If Archie grows up to be such a man as my father was, I shall have no more to wish for him!
gpt
Eh, sirs! did you ever hear the like of that in all your born days? (lifting her hands as if appealing to an invisible audience).
human
As though I would say a word to make light of her father! It's well-known there were few left like him in the countryside when he went away. And for her to put herself in such a passion! Not that I'm caring, Lilias, my dear. I think it has done you good. I haven't seen you with such a colour in your face this good while. But it ill becomes you to be offended with the like of me.
gpt
I'm not angry. I didn't mean to be angry, said Lilias, meekly enough now;
human
I'm as sure of that as you are, said Nancy;
gpt
But he's such a child, said Lilias;
human
Now, only hear her! exclaimed Nancy, again appealing to an invisible audience.
gpt
You would think, to hear her speak, she was three-score at least. Lilias Elder, hear what I'm saying to you. You are just taking the best way to ruin this brother of yours, with your petting. All the care that you are lavishing on him now, he'll claim as his right before long, and think himself well worthy of it, too. Do you not wonder sometimes, that he is so blithe-like, when you have so much to make you weary? I doubt the laddie is overfull of himself.
human
You are wrong, Mrs Stirling! exclaimed Lilias, the indignant colour again flushing her face.
gpt
Archie is not full of himself. He would do anything for my aunt or me. And why should he not be blithe? I'm blithe, too, when he is at home; and, besides, he doesna know all.