human
Am I so amusing?
gpt
Not so amusing, Mam’selle, as consumedly comical.
human
Comical, Mr. Law?
gpt
No good in scowling, Mam’selle. I mean no reflection. The fact is, you’ve taken us all into camp, we might as well laugh.
human
Camp, Mr. Law?
gpt
Yes, you made us look like small beer and then you forgive us, and label us champagne!
human
Mr. Law, you talk!
gpt
I certainly do, Mam’selle.
human
I do not understand your tongue.
gpt
I’ll wager a dollar to a doughnut that Donelle does.
human
Umph! Well, then, Donelle, just you tell me what he means.
gpt
I’m afraid I cannot very well, Mamsey. But I know what he means.
human
Do your best, child. I hate to be kept guessing.
gpt
Well, it is something like this: Donelle looked at Law, getting guidance from his eyes,
human
Nonsense! Jo snapped.
gpt
Who’s blowing my horn, I’d like to know?
human
Oh! Mamsey, it’s your horn, but you let others think it isn’t. Who was it that made Father Mantelle come out and compel his people to go overseas?
gpt
That’s silly, Donelle. When he came to his senses, he saw he’d be mobbed if he didn’t.
human
Oh! Mamsey, you bullied him outrageously. And who sees to old Pierre?
gpt
You, child. You can’t see your husband’s father want, when it’s rheumatism, not bad whiskey, that’s laying him low.
human
Oh! Mamsey! And who got Marcel little flags to put on—on those graves on the hill because it would make her feel proud?
gpt
Donelle you _are_ daft. Marcel felt she had to do something to make it her war, too, and she’s too busy to weave and knit. Why —and here Jo turned to Law whose eyes were twinkling through the smoke that nearly hid his face—
human
Mam’selle, he asked,
gpt
There is, Mr. Law, one about twice too large for the house.
human
Let’s take the stove down and have the chimney place!
gpt
Take the stove down? Jo dropped ten stitches.
human
Take that stove down! Why, you don’t know what it cost me! I—I am proud of that stove.
gpt
Really, Mam’selle?
human
Well, I used to be prouder than I am now. It is a heap of trouble to keep clean, but it’s going to stay where it is. When things cost what that did, they stay. It’s like Nick and the little red cow——
gpt
And me!
human
You ought to be ashamed, Donelle, Jo turned indignant eyes upon her,
gpt
And other things that cost too much. Oh! Mamsey.