human
Oh, Ranty! what a trick! said Erminie, laughing.
gpt
It was a shame to frighten poor Mr. Toosypegs, though.
human
He won't get much sympathy from Miss Priscilla, I guess, said Ranty.
gpt
I do think he believed every word of it.
human
To be sure he did, said Ray;
gpt
I'm going there to spend the day, said Pet.
human
Miss Priscilla can't bear me, so I go there as often as I can. I'll be able to tell you all about it when I come back.
gpt
You had better not, said Ray.
human
There are two or three runaway niggers in the woods, and it's dangerous for you to go alone.
gpt
Now, you might have known that would just make that intensely-disagreeable girl go, said Ranty, rocking himself backward and forward in Erminie's chair.
human
Tell her there's danger anywhere, and there she'll be sure to fly. The other day, some one told her the typhus fever was down at the quarters, and nothing would serve her but she must instantly make her appearance there, to see what it was like. Luckily, it turned out to be something else; but if it had been the fever, Nilla would have been a case by this time--and serve her right, too. It's very distressing to a quiet, peaceable individual like myself, said Master Ranty, pensively, leaning his head on his hand with a deep sigh.
gpt
But there's no use in me exhorting her, she don't mind in the least. I've talked to her like a father; I've preached to her on the evil of her ways till all was blue, I've lectured her time and again, like a pocket-edition of Chrysostom, and look at the result! I don't expect to live out half my days 'long of that 'ere little limb, as our Dell says.
human
Spoken like an oracle, cried Ray;
gpt
No, I won't! was Miss Petronilla's short, sharp and decisive reply.
human
I won't take you nor your advice, neither! I'm just going to Dismal Hollow, and I'd like to see who'll stop me!
gpt
Why, the half-starved niggers will, said Ranty;
human
Indeed, Pet, I wouldn't go if I were you,
gpt
Well, you ain't me; so you needn't, said Pet.
human
But I'm going; and you may all talk till you are black in the face, and then I won't stop.
gpt
You had better let me go with you,
human
No; you sha'n't, said Pet, whose wilful nature was now thoroughly aroused by opposition, and who fancied, if she accepted this offer, they might think it was cowardice;
gpt
I'll go myself. You ride with me, indeed! Why, I'd leave you out of sight in ten minutes.
human
Well, be sure to come home before dark--won't you, Pet?
gpt
No, I sha'n't leave Dismal Hollow till nine o'clock, said Pet, looking back defiantly at the boys.
human
I'm just going to show them that if two great boys, like they are, are afraid, little Pet Lawless ain't. I'll ride through the woods after dark, in spite of all the runaway niggers this side of Baltimore.
gpt
All right, said Ranty,
human
I'd rather they'd eat you, though, than me; for you're like the Starved Apothecary--all skin and bones. They'll have hard crunching of it, I'll be bound! Luckily, though, darkeys have good teeth!
gpt
Oh, Pet! what will you do, if the niggers should see you?
human
Two years ago, Ranty taught me to shoot, you little pinch of cotton-wool! and I haven't forgotten the way for want of practice since, I can tell you. I can see by the light of a nigger's eye, in the dark, how to take aim as well as any one.
gpt
You shoot! said Ranty, contemptuously.
human
You're nothing but a little boaster and a coward at that; all boasters are. You'd fall into fits at the first glimpse of a woolly head.
gpt
I wouldn't! and I ain't a coward! cried Pet, stamping her foot passionately, while her fierce black eyes seemed fairly to scintillate sparks of fire.
human
I hate you, Ranty Lawless, and I'll just do as I like, in spite of you all!