human
My father's brother-in-law, Faith interpreted.
gpt
He died last year, Mr. Cory. Mamma thought you might have met him.
human
Hadn't the honor, ma'am. I'm sorry to learn of your affliction.
gpt
He resteth in the Lord, said the fat woman, and beamed.
human
Lived in Cambridge. I trust your grandfather is well?
gpt
Yes, ma'am, very well these days.
human
I join you, Mr. Carey, in praising, for that mercy, the Dispenser of All Things. Madam Jenks went on to pronounce the weather changeable; Ben agreed; Faith expressed intelligent neutrality. Small silence spread like a blot of ink....
gpt
I understand you intend going to the college this year, Mr. Carey?
human
Yes, ma'am, my brother and I.
gpt
Preparing for the ministry, I presume?
human
Neither of us would appear to have the call, Madam Jenks.
gpt
Indeed.... Do you enjoy the Boston air?
human
I don't think I've ever heard it, ma'am.
gpt
Your pardon, sir?
human
Nay, I--beg _your_ pardon--I must have misunderstood.
gpt
My inquiry was in reference to the Boston air. Do you enjoy it?
human
Oh, very much....
gpt
Why, said Ben,
human
They are treacherous, said Madam Jenks. The comb was rising.
gpt
Now a dog is a faithful animal instant ever to his master's needs, for it would appear the Lord hath prepared him for the service of man, and I am trying, Faith, to recall the name of a small dog Mr. Jenks owned, you must remember: I mean the one that was two before Sultan, or was it three?--with a white ear.
human
You must be thinking of Prince, Mama.
gpt
No, my dear, seeing that Prince was the one that fell down the well, and Goodman Jennison spent the better part of a forenoon attempting to rescue the poor brute and had no white ear to be sure.
human
Rags?
gpt
Faith, Rags was black, and was given to us by Mr. Riggs when his good wife was taken to the Lord, and was obliged for business reasons to go to Newport for some weeks, and certainly had no white ear, and was indeed rather ill-natured, in fact we were obliged to give him away, since he did not return from Newport until some damage had already been done to Goody Jennison's herb garden, the which I regret.