human
Got no heart for cards to-night,
gpt
What's amiss, then? Thank God I've heard little to call ill news for a month or two. Not but what I've fancied a shadow on my gal's face more'n wance.
human
If not on hers, wheer should 'e see it? asked Mr. Blee eagerly.
gpt
Go on then; an' doan't rack me longer'n you can help. Use few words.
human
Many words must go to it, I reckon. 'Tis well knawn I unfolds a bit o' news like the flower of the field--gradual and sure. You might have noticed that love-cheel by the name of Timothy 'bout the plaace? Him as be just of age to harry the ducks an' such-like.
gpt
A nice li'l bwoy, tu, an' fond of me; an' you caan't say he'm a love-cheel, knawin' nothin' 'bout him.
human
Love-cheel or changeling, 'tis all wan. Have'e ever thought 'twas coorious the way Blanchard comed by un?
gpt
Certainly 'twas--terrible coorious.
human
You never doubted it?
gpt
Why for should I? Will's truthful as light, whatever else he may be.
human
You believe as he went 'pon the Moor an' found that bwoy in a roundy-poundy under the gloamin'?
gpt
Ess, I do.
human
Have'e ever looked at the laddie close?
gpt
Oftentimes--so like Will as two peas.
human
Theer 'tis! The picter of Will! How do'e read that?
gpt
Never tried to. An accident, no more.
human
A damn queer accident, if you ax me. Burnish it all! You doan't see yet, such a genius of a man as you tu! Why, Will Blanchard's the faither of the li'l twoad! You've awnly got to know the laws of nature an' such-like to swear to it. The way he walks an' holds his head, his curls, his fashion of lording it awver the birds an' beasts, the sudden laugh of un--he's Will's son, for a thousand pound, an' his mother's alive, like as not.
gpt
No mother would have gived up a child that way.
human
he said.
gpt
You might as well find a mare's nest t'other side an' say 'twas Will's sister's child. 'Tis almost so like her as him, an' got her brown eyes in the bargain.
human
God forbid! answered Billy, in horror.
gpt
That's flat libel, an' I'd be the last to voice any such thing for money. If a man gets a cheel wrong side the blanket 'tis just a passing sarcumstance, an' not to be took too serious. Half-a-crown a week is its awn punishment like. But if a gal do, 'tis destruction to the end of the chapter, an' shame everlasting in the world to come, by all accounts. You didn't ought to think o' such things, Miller,--takin' a pure, gude maiden's carater like that. Surprised at 'e!
human
That gormed Blanchard's bewitched 'e from fust to last! burst out Billy.
gpt
If a angel from heaven comed down-long and tawld 'e the truth 'bout un, you wouldn't b'lieve. God stiffen it! You make me mad! You'd stand 'pon your head an' waggle your auld legs in the air for un if he axed 'e.
human
I'll speak to him straight an' take his word for it. If it's true, he 'm wickedly to blame, I knaw that.
gpt
I was thinkin' of your darter. 'Tis black thoughts have kept her waking since this reached her ears.
human
Did you tell her what people were sayin'? I warrant you did!
gpt
You'm wrong then. No such thing. I may have just heaved a sigh when I seed the bwoy playin' in front of her, an' looked at Blanchard, an' shook my head, or some such gentle hint as that. But no more.
human
Well, I doan't believe a word of it; an' I'll tell you this for your bettering,--'tis poor religion in you, Blee, to root into other people's troubles, like a pig in a trough; an' auld though you be, you 'm not tu auld to mind what it felt like when the blood was hot an' quick to race at the sight of a maid.
gpt
I practice same as I preach, whether or no, said Billy stoutly,
human
Doan't go against a word in season, my dear sawl. 'Tis our duty to set each other right. That's what we'm put here for, I doubt. Many's the time you've given me gude advice, an' I've thanked 'e an' took it.
gpt
You'm the most biting user of language in Chagford, when you mind to speak sour, declared Billy.
human
If I thought you meant all you said, I'd go an' hang myself in the barn this instant moment. But you doan't.
gpt
It do take all sorts to make a world, an' a man must act accordin' as he'm built, continued Mr. Lyddon.
human
Ban't no more use bein' angered wi' a chap given to women than 'tis bein' angered wi' a fule, because he's a fule. What do 'e expect from a fule but folly, or a crab tree but useless fruit, or hot blood but the ways of it? This ban't to speak of Will Blanchard, though. 'Pon him we'll say no more till he've heard what's on folks' tongues. A maddening bwoy--I'll allow you that--an' he've took a year or two off my life wan time an' another. 'Pears I ban't never to graw to love un as I would; an' yet I caan't quite help it when I sees his whole-hearted ferment to put money into my pocket; or when I hears him talk of nitrates an' the ways o' the world; or watches un playin' make-believe wi' the childer--himself the biggest cheel as ever laughed at fulishness or wanted spankin' an' putting in the corner.