human
I ain't well, said Mr. Toosypegs, mournfully, as he took up his hat.
gpt
I've got a pain somewhere, and I guess I'll go home. Good-morning, Mrs. Two-Shoes. I'm very much obliged to you, I'm sure.
human
Poor Horlander! said Pet;
gpt
Come hither, scoffer, said the sibyl, with solemn sternness.
human
Appear, and learn the dark doom Destiny has in store for thee. Fate, that rules the fortunes of men as well as little yaller gals, will make you laugh on 'tother side of your mouth, one of these days.
gpt
Oh, Hamlet! what a falling off was there! quoted Ray, laughing.
human
What a short jump that was from the sublime! Don't pile on the agony too high, Mother Awful.
gpt
Peace, irreverent mortal! said Goody Two-Shoes giving her snuff-box a solemn wave;
human
Well, if you ain't the politest old lady! ejaculated Pet.
gpt
But go on; I don't mind being called ugly, now. I'm getting used to it, and rather like it.
human
You'll never be drowned,
gpt
Well, that's pleasant, anyway,
human
Because you were born to be hanged,
gpt
Whew!
human
Your days are numbered--
gpt
Well, I never saw a number on one of 'em yet,
human
Peace, scoffer! exclaimed the beldame, fiercely.
gpt
The fates disclose a speedy change in thy destiny.
human
I expect they do, said Pet;
gpt
Some dark torture is in store for you, an agony that nothing can alleviate, a nameless secret misery--
human
Perhaps it's the colic, suggested Pet
gpt
If it is, I ain't afraid; 'cause gin and water will cure it.
human
Silence, girl! and mock not destiny thus. At some future day, you will be a wife.
gpt
Well there ain't anything very wonderful in that, I'm sure; I didn't need to be told that. You didn't expect I'd be an old maid--did you?
human
I behold here, continued the seeress, peering into the little palm quite heedless of the interruption,
gpt
Spanking them all round! interrupted Pet, eagerly.
human
If she isn't, it ain't me.
gpt
Will you be silent? vociferated the ancient prophetess, with increasing sharpness.
human
Terrible is the doom of those who scoff at fortune as thou dost! Don't withdraw your hand. It is here plainly revealed that if you travel much you'll see a good deal.
gpt
Go 'way!
human
And if you have a great deal of money you'll be rich.
gpt
It ain't possible!
human
And if you don't die, you'll live to be pretty old.
gpt
Now, who'd 'a' thought it,
human
Leave me, wretched unbeliever! said the old woman, flinging away Pet's hand, with angry disdain.
gpt
Leave me; but beware! I am not to be mocked with impunity.
human
Neither am I, said Pet;
gpt
Well, wait, you misdirected, sunburned, unfortunate, turned-up-nosed misbeliever! exclaimed the old virago, shaking her fist at Pet, in a rage.
human
Wait! And when my words come true, remember they were foretold by Goody Two-shoes.
gpt
Well, I declare! said Pet.
human
If I wasn't the patientest, best-tempered little girl in Maryland, I wouldn't put up with all this abuse. Not even my nose is allowed to escape; and it never injured you or anybody else in its life.
gpt
Will you tell my fortune, Mother Two-Shoes? said Ray, turning round.
human
I am particularly anxious to know the future.
gpt
Well, you needn't be, then, said Goody, snappishly;
human
pointing to Erminie, who all the time had been quietly looking on, not knowing whether to laugh or be afraid, and wholly puzzled by it all.
gpt
She gave me some breakfast; and 'one good turn deserves another,' as the Bible says. Give me your hand.
human
You'll be rather a nice-looking young woman, if you don't grow up ugly, began the seeress, looking intently at the little white palm that lay in hers like a lily-leaf;
gpt
What an enviable fate, Erminie!
human
Seems to me, old lady, our Ranty's a great bother to you,
gpt
I always take an interest in nice youths, said the old woman, rising and grasping her stick, preparatory to starting.
human
I guess I won't mind staying for dinner. I'll call some, other day, thankee.
gpt
Not so fast, Goody Two-Shoes, exclaimed Ray, coolly, catching the old woman by the collar.
human
I've discovered you at last. 'Off, ye lendings.'