human
Now, Sir! whispered he, lifting up his finger, and nodding sagaciously to Walter. Softly dropped the yellow-dun upon the water, and swiftly did it glide before the gaze of the latent trout; and now the trout seemed aroused from his apathy, behold he moved forward, balancing himself on his fins; now he slowly ascended towards the surface; you might see all the speckles of his coat;--the Corporal's heart stood still--he is now at a convenient distance from the yellow-dun; lo, he surveys it steadfastly; he ponders, he see-saws himself to and fro. The yellow-dun sails away in affected indifference, that indifference whets the appetite of the hesitating gazer, he darts forward; he is opposite the yellow-dun,--he pushes his nose against it with an eager rudeness,--he--no, he does not bite, he recoils, he gazes again with surprise and suspicion on the little charmer; he fades back slowly into the deeper water, and then suddenly turning his tail towards the disappointed bait, he makes off as fast as he can,--yonder,--yonder, and disappears! No, that's he leaping yonder from the wave; Jupiter! what a noble fellow! What leaps he at?--a real fly--
gpt
Damn his eyes!
human
You might have caught him with a minnow,
gpt
Minnow! repeated the Corporal gruffly,
human
Thank you, Bunting. And pray what sport have you had to-day?
gpt
Oh,--good, good, quoth the Corporal, snatching up his basket and closing the cover, lest the young Squire should pry into it. No man is more tenacious of his secrets than your true angler.
human
Sent the best home two hours ago; one weighed three pounds, on the faith of a man; indeed, I'm satisfied now; time to give up;
gpt
Ah, Sir! said he, with a half sigh,
human
Who, Bunting! said Walter smiling,
gpt
Augh!--baugh!--what? Oh, laughing at me, your honour, you're welcome, Sir. Love's a silly thing--know the world now--have not fallen in love these ten years. I doubt--no offence, Sir, no offence--I doubt whether your honour and Miss Ellinor can say as much.
human
I and Miss Ellinor!--you forge yourself strangely, Bunting,
gpt
Beg pardon, Sir, beg pardon--rough soldier--lived away from the world so long, words slipped out of my mouth--absent without leave.
human
But why, said Walter, smothering or conquering his vexation,--
gpt
Indeed, Sir, and if I did, 'tis no more than my neighbours imagine too.
human
Humph! your neighbours are very silly, then, and very wrong.
gpt
Beg pardon, Sir, again--always getting askew. Indeed some did say it was Miss Madeline, but I says,--says I,--'No! I'm a man of the world--see through a millstone; Miss Madeline's too easy like; Miss Nelly blushes when he speaks;'scarlet is love's regimentals--it was ours in the forty- second, edged with yellow--pepper and salt pantaloons! For my part I think,--but I've no business to think, howsomever--baugh!
human
Pray what do you think, Mr. Bunting? Why do you hesitate?