human
But see, she said,
gpt
Yes, I parted with it. But come, do I have my little slipper?
human
Wait!
gpt
I warrant it is the only thing of the sort ever was seen in these buildings, she went on.
human
Alas! I fear I must leave most of my possessions here! I have already disposed of the furnishings of my apartment to Mr. James Douglas at Fort Vancouver. I hear he is to replace this good Doctor McLaughlin. Well, his half-breed wife will at least have good setting up for her household. Tell me, now, she concluded,
gpt
I gave it to an old man in Montreal,
human
How curious! she mused, as it became more plain to her.
gpt
Life, love, eternity! The beginning and the end of all this turmoil about passing on the torch of life. It is old, old, is it not? Tell me, who was the wise man who described all this to you?
human
Not a stranger to this very country, I imagine, was my answer.
gpt
He spent some years here in Oregon with the missionaries, engaged, as he informed me, in classifying the butterflies of this new region. A German scientist, I think, and seemingly a man of breeding.
human
If I were left to guess, she broke out suddenly,
gpt
I would say it must have been this same old man who told you about the plans of the Canadian land expedition to this country.
human
Continually, Madam, we find much in common. At least we both know that the Canadian expedition started west. Tell me, when will it arrive on the Columbia?
gpt
It will never arrive. It will never cross the Rockies. Word has gone up the Columbia now that for these men to appear in this country would bring on immediate war. That does not suit the book of England more than it does that of America.
human
Then the matter will wait until you see Mr. Pakenham?
gpt
I suppose so.
human
You will find facts enough. Should you persist in your mad journey and get far enough to the east, you will see two thousand, three thousand men coming out to Oregon this fall. It is but the beginning. But you and I, sitting here, three thousand miles and more away from Washington, can determine this question. Madam, perhaps yet you may win your right to some humble home, with a couch of husks or straw. Sleep, then, by our camp-fires across America, and let our skies cover you at night. Our men will watch over you faithfully. Be our guest--our friend!
gpt
You are a good special pleader, said she;
human
Then let us not speak her name,
gpt
You can not have Oregon, except through me, she said at last.
human
You can not have--her--except through me!
gpt
It is the truth, I answered.
human
In God's name, then, play the game fair.