human
A fine young fellow that of yours, Mr. Fisher,
gpt
Yes, said the farmer;
human
I'd back him against any young man his age for ten miles round.
gpt
An adopted son of yours, I suppose?
human
Well, no, not exactly,
gpt
Beg pardon, I thought you had adopted him.
human
Well, perhaps you are not far wrong either. You see, he came to us five or six years agone, a poor little famished, wizened creature. It was a sweltering hot day too, and he had walked all the way from Liverpool, sleeping at nights by the roadside, and by the time he got here--or rather, he didn't get here--our folks were making hay in the home close, and he just got inside the gate, and dropped down in a fit, or something of the sort. Well, he was completely done up; the doctor never thought he would come round again, but he did, and you see what a fine fellow he's grown to.
gpt
Yes, indeed! And so he has lived with you ever since?
human
Ever since. My wife says she believes the Lord directed him here. Any way, the boy was a great comfort to her, for we'd only just buried our little Rob, and he seemed to fill up the gap a bit, you see.
gpt
I suppose you find him very handy about the farm now, Mr. Fisher?
human
Handy? I tell you, there isn't his equal for miles around. He took to the farm as natural as a duck takes to the water. In fact, the plucky little dog said he wouldn't stay to be a burden to us, and he never has been. In fact, if we came to square accounts, I fancy that I should find that I was considerably in his debt.
gpt
And you find him perfectly trustworthy?
human
He's as honest as the daylight, sir, and as good as gold. Why, I'd trust him with my life, and so would the missus. She thinks a sight of him, I can assure you.
gpt
I do not wonder at it, Mr. Fisher; he's a brave young fellow, and deserves notice and help--if he needed it.
human
Brave? Well, you've said just right in that, Mr. Munroe; he's as brave as a lion. I don't think the young dog knows what fear is. I expect it'll be getting him into trouble some of these days. But then, bless you, on the other hand, he's as gentle as a woman, and the very soul of kindness. I believe the young scamp would give away the last copper he had, if he saw some one he fancied wanted it more than himself.
gpt
Indeed! said Mr. Munroe, feeling rather amused at Mr. Fisher's enthusiasm.
human
It is not often you see people possessing so many good qualities.
gpt
Good! Well, you've hit it again, the lad _is_ good; and yet, mark you, he ain't none of the goody-goody sort either. Why, bless you, he's as full of fun and frolic as an egg is full of meat. You should just see the carryings on we have here when the lads are home from school. I laugh sometimes fit to kill myself, and yet feel as mad as a sheep at 'em, for they give me no peace of my life.
human
Well, we cannot expect the young folks to be as sedate and steady-going as we older people, Mr. Fisher.
gpt
That's what my wife says, sir; she says it's as natural for the lads to play as it is for the kittens, and that it's quite as harmless, and I don't think she's far wrong. In fact, I generally give in to her; she's had a sight better education than ever I had, so she ought to know better.
human
Ah, speaking about education, Mr. Fisher, what sort of education has this young man had?
gpt
Well, Mr. Munroe, I confess I'm no judge in matters of that sort. You see, he was never at a day school a day in his life; but for all that he seems to have a natural gift for learning. Our George says he's got on wonderfully; and old Mr. Jones, that keeps the night school yonder at Scoutleigh, says he can't teach him any more.
human
Excuse me asking all these questions, Mr. Fisher, but I feel quite interested in the young man. It's but natural I should, since I owe my life to him; and I should like to do something for him, if I could see how it's to be done.
gpt
It's very kind of you, I'm sure, and I can assure you you'll not find me stand in the lad's way. Fact is, I've thought many times of late that he's too good--too well informed, and that kind of thing--to be a farm labourer all his life, and he'd never get enough as a day labourer to become a farmer on his own account.
human
Just so; the same thought has occurred to me, but we'll see what can be done. Good morning, Mr. Fisher.
gpt
Good morning, sir, good morning.