human
Are you the ship's carpenter?
gpt
Yes, miss.
human
You seem very young for a carpenter, don't you?
gpt
I am young, Reuben replied, smiling,
human
Are you really a carpenter? she asked.
gpt
You don't look like a carpenter.
human
Is there anything else?
gpt
No, nothing else, thank you, the girl answered.
human
That will do very nicely, and I am much obliged to you.
gpt
Captain, the young lady said, as she went upon deck,
human
I have been talking to that young carpenter of yours. I am quite interested in him. Is he really a carpenter? He does not talk a bit like one.
gpt
I believe so, Miss Hudson, the captain replied.
human
At least, he produced an excellent testimonial from his last employer, when I engaged him. Of course, it might not have been genuine. If there had been time, I should have made more inquiries; but he was well spoken, and had an earnest look about him. But, now you mention it, I don't know that it is very wise letting him go into all the cabins, when I know so little about him.
gpt
Oh, I never thought of that! the girl exclaimed.
human
I am sure he looks honest. It was only because he spoke so well that I mentioned it.
gpt
He seems to be a sharp young fellow, the captain remarked,
human
I really feel quite interested in him, Captain Wilson, the girl said, turning to a gentleman standing by, who had been listening to the conversation.
gpt
I wish, if you get an opportunity, you would get into conversation with this carpenter of ours, and find out something about him.
human
I will, if you like, Miss Hudson; but I don't suppose there's much to find out, and what there is, he's not likely to tell me. From what you say, I should guess that he had had a bad master, and had run away.
gpt
But the captain said he had good testimonials,
human
As to testimonials, the gentleman said,
gpt
How suspicious you are, Captain Wilson! the girl laughed.
human
That's the worst of being a police officer, and having to do with criminals. You think whoever you come across is a rogue, until you find out he is an honest man. Now, I think everyone is honest, till I find him out to be a rogue.
gpt
My way is the safest, the officer laughed.
human
At any rate, on board this ship there are five rogues to each honest man.
gpt
Ah, but that's not a fair average, the girl objected.
human
Of course, in the colony one has to be careful, considering that half the shepherds and stockmen are convicts, and I must own that the natives are nearly all thieves; but how could it be otherwise, when England sends all its rogues out to us? You see, when free labour gets more abundant, and we can do without convicts, the colonists will protest against it.
gpt
Very likely they will, the officer agreed;
human
That is her business, Miss Hudson said carelessly.
gpt
There is no reason why they should be shoved on to us. In the old time, when there were no colonies, England managed somehow, and I suppose she could do so again.
human
She managed in a very short way, Captain Wilson said.
gpt
She hung them as fast as she caught them. It did not matter much what the offence was, whether stealing a loaf or killing a man; but she could hardly go back to that, now.
human
Don't you think so, captain?
gpt
I daresay she could, the captain answered.
human
Certainly, if I were a colonist living in a lonely part of the country, I should object to transportation for, what with the natives and bush rangers and bad characters generally, no one can say their life is safe.
gpt
Oh, it's not so bad as that, captain! Miss Hudson said indignantly.
human
You are giving the place a bad character.
gpt
I think Captain Wilson will agree it's a true one,
human
Eh, Captain Wilson?
gpt
I am afraid so, the latter replied.
human
I know they keep me pretty busy. However, after a year's holiday, I must not grumble if I find plenty to do when I get there.