human
I do believe your maid thinks I've come to steal the spoons, said he.
gpt
I could scarce win her to let me in. Well, does nobody know me? Don't you, Grandmother?
human
Why, sure! 'tis never David Lewthwaite?
gpt
Why, who was to know you, my boy? asked his Aunt Edith.
human
We have not seen you but once since we came, and you have changed mightily since then.
gpt
When last we saw you, said Temperance,
human
Ah! I'd forgot my beard was new. Well, I have been remiss, I own: but I will expound another time the reasons why you saw us not oftener. To-night, methinks, you'll have enough to do to hearken to the cause which has brought me at last.
gpt
No ill news, David, I trust?
human
None, Madam. And yet I come to bring news of death.
gpt
Of whose death?
human
Of the death of Oswald Louvaine, of Selwick Hall.
gpt
O David, can you possibly mean--is Selwick come back to us?
human
Oswald Louvaine died unwedded, and hath left no will. His heir-at-law is my cousin Aubrey here.
gpt
May the Lord help him to use it wisely!
human
Amen! said David, heartily.
gpt
And now, Madam, as I have not stolen the spoons, may I let somebody else in, that I left round the corner?--whom, perchance, you may care rather to see than me.
human
Prithee bring whom thou wilt, David; there shall be an hearty welcome for him.
gpt
Well, I rather guess there will be, said David, as he walked out of the parlour.
human
Dear heart, but who is talking fast enough to shame a race-horse?
gpt
Well, now, you don't say so! was what met David's ear as he unlatched the gate of the White Bear.
human
And you've come from Camberwell, you say? Well, that's a good bit o' walking, and I dare be bound you're weary. I'd--
gpt
I cry you mercy,--Cumberland,
human
Dear heart! why, that's a hundred mile off or more, isn't it? And how many days did it take you?--and how did you come--o' horseback?--and be the roads very miry?--and how many of you be there?--and what kin are you to my Lady Lettice, now? and how long look you to tarry with her?
gpt
My mistress, said David, doffing his hat,
human
Lack-a-daisy!
gpt
Madam, and my mistresses, he said, as he threw open the door,
human
I have the honour to announce the most excellent Mistress Milisent Lewthwaite.
gpt
I would come with Robin! she cried.
human
It feels like a whole age since I saw one of you!
gpt
My dear heart, such a journey! said her mother.
human
And where is the dear Robin, then?
gpt
Oh, he shall be here anon. He tarried but to see to the horses, and such like; and I set off with Davie--I felt as though I could not bear another minute.
human
Madam, I give you to wit, said David, with fun in his eyes,
gpt
Well, I had seen thee in a year, answered Milisent, echoing his laugh,
human
Shall I tell thee, my dear heart, what I think Aunt Joyce should say to thee? `Well done, Lettice Eden's daughter!'
gpt
Ah, Mother dear! said Milisent, kissing her mother's hand,
human
I may be like what you were as a young maid, but never shall I make by one-half so blessed a saint in mine old age.
gpt
That must you ask your grandchildren,
human
Nay, I will ask somebody that can judge better, replied Milisent, laughing.
gpt
What sayest thou, Robin?