human
You are welcome, sir, she said in English.
gpt
We are poor and lonely folk left to perish in the wilderness. My husband was an atheist, a philosopher, and every man's hand was against him. He brought his wife and family to the New World that he might study in peace and learn somewhat of Nature's secrets. Last summer he was taken, babbling of the work of his misspent life, careless of our farewells, heedless of the state in which he left us. Philosophy is of a truth the devil's work, inasmuch as it hardens the heart of man, loses him his God, and wraps its slave in selfishness.
human
Cross yourself, girl! Infidel, cross yourself!
gpt
Mother!
human
Lutheran! screamed the little woman.
gpt
Make the holy sign, and so strive to save your wicked soul from the pit of destruction wherein your father lies.
human
My faith is fixed, murmured the girl.
gpt
Ah, ah!
human
Madame, forbear! Viner stood between them, his blood hot with shame.
gpt
This is no sight for a stranger and a man to witness.
human
You are English, sir. Your brave countrymen yield to none in their respect for a woman, when she be young and fair to see. Let her be old, they shall call her witch and fling her in the nearest pond. There be young witches, good sir, better able to seduce the soul of man than the old, though they keep neither cat nor toad, nor ride at night across the face of the moon.
gpt
That so lovely a daughter should be cursed with such a mother!
human
My mother has a strange temper. She has suffered much,
gpt
You are not happy here,
human
Friend! She put out one hand, groping for something to hold.
gpt
I am miserable.
human
She struck you.
gpt
Stay a little, she whispered.
human
For the sake of your religion, stay. If for a day only, stay. Stay, for a woman's sake.