human
Wal, he won't exactly what you ladies would call a beauty, answered the big man, grinning,
gpt
Why, and Iola's face whitened,
human
Yes, Ruth answered,
gpt
Wal, now, that's good news, declared the big man, glancing out of the corners of his eyes at his companion.
human
We was afeared sum harm had come tew him. An' so he's restin' safe an' easy at your home. Now, whar might that be, if I may be so bold as tew ask?
gpt
But, he'd been robbed--murdered! exclaimed Iola.
human
And it was his dead body that had been brought to our house. We buried him last night.
gpt
Robbed! Murdered! almost yelled the big man.
human
Do you hear that, Spike? and he turned excitedly to his companion.
gpt
Sumone got him for his gold, jest as he was afeared they would. An' you say 'twas your brothers who found him, an' took th' body home with them, an' gave it decent burial. Now I call that decent, don't you, Spike?
human
White an' decent, agreed Spike.
gpt
But, and his small snake-like eyes shifted swiftly from face to face of the two girls, as he spoke,
human
He lived only a little while, answered Iola.
gpt
He had been stabbed by one of the cowards, and he died before they could get him to the house. I don't think he left any message. I don't remember of hearing our brothers say anything about a message, do you?
human
No, replied Ruth.
gpt
He--he left no word for any friend. He only--