human
Hoy! Ben thought that was the tall girl; certainly she was the one who delivered that birdy whistle.
gpt
Looking for something?
human
Regret, said Ben.
gpt
Spent ball, just had some. Otherwise pleased and proud, my word on it.
human
Phew! Drunk as a lord and him na' but a boy. Feel sorry for 'm, I do.
gpt
Someone else said that a while ago. Ben spoke stiffly, wounded.
human
No occasion for it. Not worthy of sorrow in sight of God or man.
gpt
Drunk as a lord and running on like a canting parson. It wants 'a wipe its little nose. How they hangin', m' lud?
human
Sorry. Another time.
gpt
Ay, but sha'n't I walk a bit way with you? You're rotten drunk, boy, and dressed so fine, someone'll rob you.
human
No money. Few farthings left.
gpt
A stoodent, Lottie. Look at them books. Oh, do fetch 'em out, m' lud. Read a girl bloody something, do!
human
Leave me walk on a way with you, if you be going by Cornhill. Not waiting for consent, she had his arm, ignoring some under-the-breath comment from her companion, which Ben also preferred to overlook.
gpt
That's my way too. Come on--I won't bite you, boy.
human
He can read the books, said the tall girl--
gpt
You're kind, Ben said.
human
I've often marveled how kind people can be, I mean when one's not expecting it. My mother and father were killed at Deerfield. I am, as you say, drunk and not speaking plain.
gpt
Drunk as a pig, she said, and giggled warmly.
human
But you got a sweet face.
gpt
It's merely a kind of good nature, said Ben judicially, disturbed by the sin of vanity.
human
One can be too good-natured, now that's no lie.
gpt
I'm good-natured too.
human
You think a man and woman ought to marry if they have serious 'ligious differences?
gpt
Ha? I don't know. Walk easy-don't give in to it, boy.... You're to be married?
human
Not fitting. Do you believe in God?
gpt
Hoy, don't talk so loud! You're drunk.
human
Yes.... Can you make up for a hurt when there's no way to turn back the clock?
gpt
Now it don't do no good to cry. Come on. You can walk.
human
Of course I can walk. You don't understand. It can't be done, that's the answer. It happened. It happened in the wilderness. It's over. Goes away from you the way the spring goes and the summer too. You think I could cry when I saw my people killed? God damn it, if we wept for every sufficient reason we'd've all drowned long ago. What did you say, Lottie?
gpt
Nothing, boy. Come on.
human
No, you said something about marrying. Did you not? He lurched against her and gasped an apology for clumsiness.
gpt
That's not even been spoke of, I suppose I'm too young, but she--now pray understand, what _I_ don't understand is this: how a man could love a woman so much and nevertheless go and--go and----
human
You'll learn.... The street was a forest, a wilderness where Ben could feel the power of snow on branches suffering for the coming of spring, and in this jungle he was now marvelously ready for the act of love, and had no money.
gpt
Come along, love, come along. You live here in Boston?
human
Nay, Roxbury. He watched the pale flame of reason surviving the onslaught of another wave. Was this forest under the sea? A wilderness not of snow-burdened hemlock but of oozing weed, monstrous, ancient. Here monsters lazily glided above dead ships and men unburied, a wilderness where no spring had ever dawned since the beginning of the world.
gpt
I don't know where he is, Lottie. The men from Hatfield buried all the dead they could find--later in the day, you understand, after the French were driven out, but I don't know where he lieth or my mother. I'll go back some day, but only if my brother wishes to go with me. Thou hast dove's eyes.
human
What?
gpt
Thou art fair, my love.
human
You _are_ drunk. I'll see you to Newbury Street if you like--that's your way to Roxbury.
gpt
Most kind. Oh, I wish----
human
You're drunk, and no money--remember? I'm good-natured too, but not that good-natured. Now see can you walk without my hand.
gpt
Of course I can, said Ben with resentment.
human
Was I not doing so when we met?
gpt
Not too bloody well,