human
It looks as if your father had lived there,
gpt
Yes; I think it must have been his home.
human
But the owner of Ash Garth is Basil Morel! It is a beautiful place. You come down from the bleak moorland into a valley through which a river winds, and the house stands among the beechwoods at the foot of the hill.
gpt
The picture shows something of the kind,
human
Perhaps I could find out what became of your father's people and where they are now.
gpt
I don't want to know. I have shown you these things in confidence; I'd rather not have them talked about.
human
But you must see what they might mean to you!
gpt
They mean nothing at all to me. My father was obviously an exile, disowned by his English relatives. If he had done anything to deserve this, I don't want to learn it, but I can't think that's so. It was more likely a family quarrel. Anyway, I'm quite content to leave my relatives alone. Besides, I promised something of the kind.
human
But did he never tell you anything about his English life?
gpt
No, said Harding.
human
I'm not sure that my mother knew, though Hester thinks she meant to tell us something in her last illness. My father was a reserved man. I think he felt his banishment and it took the heart out of him. He was not a good farmer, not the stuff the pioneers are made of, and I believe he only worked his land for my mother's sake, while it was she who really managed things until I grew up. She was a brave, determined woman, and kept him on his feet.