human
Well, anyway, by the time I was seven I managed the hill again. From that time on I went every day. I think there must be a dent in a rock where I used to sit, playing with the road.
gpt
Playing with the road! Playing with the road! Donelle repeated.
human
Oh! but you are queer. What did you play, Tom Gavot?
gpt
Oh! I sent people up and down it. The people I did not like I sent down and never let them come back.
human
That is perfectly lovely. Go on, Tom.
gpt
And then I made up my mind that when I was big enough I’d run away with my mother. I always meant to explain to her about the road, but I didn’t. Sometimes I fancied that people would come over the road bringing to me the things I wanted.
human
What things, Tom?
gpt
Oh! all sorts of things that boys want and don’t get. After I grew older and Father Mantelle began to teach me, I still felt as if the road was a friend, but I did not play with it any more. Then one summer some surveyors and engineers came and one man, he was a great sort, let me talk to him and he made me think about roads in quite another way. I tell you, my road had got pretty rutty, so I began filling in the holes. It was the only decent thing I could do when I’d used it so; and besides it kept me near the men and they helped me to know things that I really wanted.
human
What, Tom Gavot?
gpt
Why, I want to learn how to make roads. When I can, I am going away and I’m not coming back until I can do more than fill in holes.
human
I shall miss you dreadfully when you go! said Donelle. It all seemed imminent and real to her now.
gpt
Of course you must go, but—well, the road will be pretty lonely until you come back.
human
I sort of feel, she said whimsically,
gpt
Well, you are.
human
No, I haven’t told Mamsey that I know you. I’ve come with Nick when Mamsey was off on the farm. She thinks I’m spinning or weaving, but I hurry through and get out. I’ve hoped that someone would tell her, but they haven’t.
gpt
Would she mind if she knew?
human
I don’t know, but I think I must _think_ she would or I would have told. She and I talk of everything right out; everything but you.
gpt
You’d better tell her, he said. Then with a brave attempt at cheerfulness:
human
When I come back, Donelle, all the world can see us walking on the road and it won’t matter.
gpt
I’m going to tell Mamsey to-day, murmured Donelle. Somehow she felt as if she had wronged Tom.
human
This very day.
gpt
Your eyes are a strange colour, he said,
human
I’m going to tell Mamsey, she said,
gpt
Good-bye, he repeated.
human
Good-bye,
gpt
I wish you’d tell me about Tom Gavot,
human
Why? What does Tom matter? Poor lad, he’s got a beast of a father.
gpt
Was his mother a beast?
human
No. She was a sad, hunted soul.
gpt
It is too bad she died, if she had waited Tom would have taken her on his road.
human
What are you talking about?
gpt
Tom Gavot. He used to play with the road and now he mends it. Some day he’s going to make roads. They’ll be splendid roads, I’m sure, and——
human
What do you know of Tom Gavot, Donelle?
gpt
Mamsey, don’t be angry, I know I should have told you. I don’t know why I didn’t, but while you were away I hurried and got through my work and then I was so lonely. I went out on the road—Nick and I, and I found Tom Gavot.
human
You’ve seen him—often?
gpt
Why, yes, I suppose so. I didn’t count. It seems as if I had always known him. He’s wonderful. Besides knowing about roads, he knows books, all kinds. Father Mantelle teaches him. I’d like to go, too, and learn from Father Mantelle.
human
Well, you’ll not study with Tom Gavot!
gpt
Why not, Mamsey?
human
One sort of learning for girls; another for boys.
gpt
I wonder why, Mamsey! They both travel the same road.
human
No, they do not!
gpt
Well, I shall. You can choose your road, can’t you, Mamsey? I mean the sort of things you learn?
human
No.
gpt
It’s all wrong then.
human
Stop asking stupid questions, child, about things you do not know,
gpt
But that’s why I ask questions, because I don’t know. Are they stupid?
human
Yes, very. Now come, Donelle, and help me get supper.