human
They tell me, began Martin,
gpt
That's easy answered: to please others, explained Mr. Lyddon.
human
Fust theer was his promise to Phoebe, then his mother's illness, then his other promise, to bide till his wife was brought to bed. Looking back I see we was wrong to use our power against his awn wish; but so it stands.
gpt
I ought to go; I ought to be alongside un, moaned Phoebe;
human
I was at the bottom of everything from fust to last. For me he run away; for me he stopped away. Mine's the blame, an' them as judge him should knaw it an' hear me say so.
gpt
Caan't do no such vain thing as that, declared Mr. Blee.
human
As to the sentence, continued Martin,
gpt
But the real gude men, pleaded Phoebe--
human
I should hope not; I'm sure not. You see the case is so unusual, as an officer explained to me, and such a great length of time has elapsed between the action and the judgment upon it. That is in Will's favour. A good soldier with a clean record who deserts and is apprehended does not get more than three months with hard labour and sometimes less. That's the worst that can happen, I hope.
gpt
What's hard labour to him? murmured Billy, whose tact on occasions of universal sorrow was sometimes faulty.
human
What blackguards say and think ban't no odds, declared Mrs. Blanchard.
gpt
Yet, when all's said, 'tis a mournful sarcumstance an' sent for our chastening, contended Mr. Blee stoutly.
human
Us mustn't argue away the torment of it an' pretend 'tis nought. Ban't a pleasing thing, 'specially at such a time when all the airth s gwaine daft wi' joy for the gracious gudeness o' God to the Queen o' England. In plain speech, 't is a damn dismal come-along-of-it, an' I've cried by night, auld though I am, to think o' the man's babes grawin' up wi' this round theer necks. An' wan to be born while he 'm put away! Theer 's a black picksher for 'e! Him doin' hard labour as the Law directs, an' his wife doin' hard labour, tu--in her lonely bed! Why, gormed if I--
gpt
For God's sake shut your mouth, you horrible old man! burst out Martin, as Phoebe hurried away in tears and Chris followed her.
human
You're a disgrace to humanity and I don't hesitate--I don't hesitate at all to say you have no proper feeling in you!
gpt
Martin's right, Billy, declared Mr. Lyddon without emotion.
human
You 'm a thought tu quick to meet other people's troubles half way, as I've told 'e before to-night. Ban't a comely trait in 'e. You've made her run off sobbing her poor, bruised heart out. As if she hadn't wept enough o' late. Do 'e think us caan't see what it all means an' the wisht cloud that's awver all our heads, lookin' darker by contrast wi' the happiness of the land, owing to the Jubilee of a gert Queen? Coourse we knaw. But't is poor wisdom to talk 'bout the blackness of a cloud to them as be tryin' to find its silver lining. If you caan't lighten trouble, best to hold your peace.
gpt
What's the use of cryin' 'peace' when us knaws in our hearts 'tis war? Us must look inside an' outside, an' count the cost same as I be doin' now, declared Mr. Blee.
human
Then to be catched up so harsh 'mong friends! Well, well, gude-night, all; I'll go to my rest. Hard words doan't break, though they may bruise. But I'll do my duty, whether or no.