human
I don't see why they let me off like that, Mis' Gwyn. I killed him, didn't I?
gpt
Yes, Moll,--but the law does not convict a person who kills in self-defence. Didn't you understand that?
human
But supposin' I wuz starvin' to death an' I stole a ham like Bud Gridley did last fall when his pa an' ma wuz sick, wouldn't that be self-defence? They put him in jail fer two months, jest fer stealin' a ham when he hadn't had nothin' to eat fer three days,--bein' crippled an' couldn't work. Wuz that fair?
gpt
Don't forget, Moll, said Rachel ironically,
human
Anyhow, hit don't seem right an' fair, said Moll.
gpt
I didn't have to kill Jasper to save my life. I could ha' saved it without killin' him.
human
You did perfectly right in killing him, Moll, broke in Viola warmly.
gpt
I would have done the same thing if I had been in your place.
human
Well, maybe you might have had to do it, Miss Violy, if them fellers had got away with you as they wuz plannin' to do,
gpt
They'll never ketch Pap, she said.
human
I guess I'll never lay eyes on him ag'in. I wuz jest wonderin' what's goin' to become of his dogs. Do you suppose anybody'll take the trouble to feed 'em?
gpt
Jack found this here letter down at the shanty this morning, Mr. Gwynne. It's addressed to you, so he asked me to hand it to you when I saw you.
human
Tell Jack that I am very much obliged to him,
gpt
If what Barry Lapelle told me and Jack Trentman yesterday morning is true, there'll be the doggonedest scandal this town ever heard of.
human
What did he tell you?
gpt
It's against my principles to talk about women, snapped Toby, glaring at the man as if deeply insulted. Seeing the disappointment in the other's face, he softened a little:
human
he went so far as to explain.
gpt
You keep your shirt on, Elmer, and wait. And when it _does_ come out, you'll be the most surprised man in town.