human
Jacob, said she, in continuation,
gpt
I think you have used me very ill to humble me in this manner. It was your business to make it up first.
human
I am not aware that I have been in the wrong,
gpt
I do not say that you have; but what matter does that make? You ought to give way to a woman.
human
Why so?
gpt
Why so! don't the whole world do so? Do you not offer everything first to a woman? Is it not her right?
human
Not when she is in the wrong, Mary.
gpt
Yes, when she's in the wrong, Jacob; there's no merit in doing it when she's in the right.
human
I think otherwise; at all events, it depends on how much she has been in the wrong, and I consider you have shown a bad heart, Mary.
gpt
A bad heart! in what way, Jacob?
human
In realising the fable of the boys and the frogs with the poor old Dominie, forgetting that what may be sport to you is death to him.
gpt
You don't mean to say that he'll die of love,
human
I should hope not: but you may contrive, and you have tried all in your power, to make him very wretched.
gpt
And, pray, how do you know that I do not like the old gentleman, Jacob? You appear to think that a girl is to fall in love with nobody but yourself. Why should I not love an old man with so much learning? I have been told that old husbands are much prouder of their wives than young ones, and pay them more attention, and don't run after other women. How do you know that I am not serious?
human
Because I know your character, Mary, and am not to be deceived. If you mean to defend yourself in that way, we had better not talk any more.
gpt
Lord, how savage you are! then, suppose I did pay the old gentleman any attention. Did the young ones pay me any? Did either you, or your precious friend, Mr Tom, even speak to me?
human
No; we saw how you were employed, and we both hate a jilt.
gpt
Oh, you do. Very well, sir; just as you please. I may make both your hearts ache for this some day or another.
human
Forewarned, forearmed, Mary; and I shall take care that they are both forewarned as well as myself. As I perceive that you are so decided, I shall say no more. Only, for your own sake, and your own happiness, I caution you. Recollect your mother, Mary, and recollect your mother's death.
gpt
You are right, Jacob; and I am a foolish--perhaps wicked--girl; but forgive me, and indeed I will try to behave better. But, as father says, it is human nature in me, and it's hard to conquer our natures, Jacob.
human
Will you promise me not to continue your advances to the Dominie, Mary?
gpt
I will not, if I can help it, Jacob. I may forget for the moment, but I'll do all I can. It's not very easy to look grave when one is merry, or sour when one is pleased.
human
But what can induce you, Mary, to practise upon an old man like him? If it were young Tom, I could understand it. There might be some credit, and your pride might be flattered by the victory; but an old man--
gpt
Still, Jacob, old or young, it's much the same. I would like to have them all at my feet, and that's the truth. I can't help it. And I thought it a great victory to bring there a wise old man, who was so full of Latin and learning, and who ought to know better. Tell me Jacob, if old men a how themselves to be caught, as well as young, where is the crime of catching them? Isn't there as much vanity in an old man, in his supposing that I really could love him, as there is in me, who am but a young, foolish girl, in trying to make him fond of me?
human
That may be; but still recollect that he is in earnest, and you are only joking, which makes a great difference; and recollect further, that in trying at all, we very often lose all.
gpt
That I would take my chance of, Jacob, replied Mary, proudly throwing her curly ringlets back with her hand from her white forehead;
human
Yes, Mary, and I believe you, so there's my hand.
gpt
You don't know how miserable I have been, Jacob, since we quarrelled, said Mary, wiping the tears away, which again commenced flowing;
human
It has annoyed me too, Mary, for I like you very much in general.
gpt
Well, then, now it's all over; but Jacob, are you sure you are friends with me?
human
Yes, Mary.
gpt
You know the old saw, and I feel the truth of it.
human
What, `kiss and make friends?' replied I;
gpt
No, I didn't mean that, Jacob.
human
What then?
gpt
Oh! 'twas another.
human
Well, then, what was the other?
gpt
Never mind, I forget it now, said she laughing, and rising from the chair.
human
Now, I must go to my work again, and you must tell me what you've been doing this last fortnight.
gpt
I think, said old Stapleton, the next morning,
human
I remonstrated against this excess of liberality; but old Stapleton was positive, and the arrangement was made. I afterwards discovered, what may probably occur to the reader, that Captain Turnbull was at the bottom of all this. He had pensioned old Stapleton that I might become independent by my own exertions before I had served my apprenticeship; and after breakfast, old Stapleton walked down with me to the beach, and we launched the boat.
gpt
Recollect, Jacob, said he,
human
so saying, he adjourned to his old quarters, the public-house, to smoke his pipe and think of human natur'. I do not recollect any day of my life on which I felt more happy than on this: I was working for myself, and independent. I jumped into my wherry, and, without waiting for a fare, I pushed off, and, gaining the stream, cleaved through the water with delight as my reward; but after a quarter of an hour I sobered down with the recollection that, although I might pull about for nothing for my own amusement, that as Stapleton was entitled to one-third, I had no right to neglect his interest; and I shot my wherry into the row, and stood with my hand and fore-finger raised, watching the eye of every one who came towards the hard. I was fortunate that day, and when I returned, was proceeding to give Stapleton his share, when he stopped me.
gpt
Jacob, it's no use dividing now; once a-week will be better. I likes things to come in a lump; cause, d'ye see--it's-- it's--_human natur'_.
human
ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE,