human
came that evening.
gpt
The angel Gabriel hisse'f couldn't mek heads or tails o' whut Hiram means, he said in answer to a question from Abner.
human
He don't know hisse'f whut he means. He's bittah an' sore ag'in ev'rything an' ev'rybody whut hain't ready to fall on Brothah Stone, an' eat him ha'r an' hide. You teched him up fust on thet p'int; then while he's still kindah riled with you--fur it teks him a long time to fergit a man's darin' to sot up opinions 'ginst his'n--up you prances ag'in 'bout Betsy. No, you didn't beg him sortah bashful an' meechin' lak--I know you so well, Ab--but you jes' demands his gal's hand in marridge. This riles him still futhah. Then, instid o' bein' meek an' lowly, an' smoothin' him down, an' axin' him to please be so kind ez to reconsidah the mattah, you puts on yo' I'm-ez-good-ez-you-an'-a-blamed-sight-bettah air, an' axes him to explain his conduc'.
gpt
But indeed, Mr. Rogers, I was both respectful and deferential to Major Gilcrest.
human
Oh, yes, ez meek ez Moses, I s'pose you think yo'se'f,
gpt
I don't know exactly how meek Moses really was when he was courting Jethro's daughter,
human
Oh, go to thundah with yo' Moses an' yo' Jethro's daughtah! laughed Mason, impatiently.
gpt
Mayby you thought you wuz meek an' differential; but don't I know you? Then, thah's anothah p'int, he added after a pause.
human
Thah's thet sneakin' fellah, Drane. Buttah won't melt in his mouth, an' maple syrup hain't ez sweet ez his ways. He's rich an' fine ez a fiddle, too, an' is all respect an' 'umbleness with ole Hi, who thinks jes' kaze the daddy, ole Anson Drane, wuz a honest man, thet the son is natchelly obleeged to be honest too. But with all this drawin' uv the wool ovah ole Hiram's eyes, Jeemes hain't succeedin' egzactly with the gal, an' he's cute 'nough to see whah the hitch is; so he uses his influence with her pap to belittle an' backbite the one she does favor. Mark my words, thet slick-tongued lawyer is et the bottom uv a lot o' this devilment.
gpt
I never did thoroughly trust that fellow, exclaimed Abner,
human
No, you hain't no proof, returned Rogers, thoughtfully,
gpt
he added with quaint humor,
human
As for patience, Abner rejoined,
gpt
See here, my boy, said Rogers, quickly, a new gentleness in look and tone,
human
Yes, I have. I've thought of nothing else for months,
gpt
No, thah's one p'int you've ovahlooked, pursued the older man.
human
It's how ole Hiram will treat her, ef you an' her persists in goin' ag'in him; an' ef you love Betsy strong an' tendah, you'll hafto begin to think on it. Why, boy, that's the only way to spell love--to kiver self out o' sight, an' think only uv the peace an' well-bein' uv the gal whut hez given her heart intah yer keepin'. Hiram's a kind fathah usually, an' thet gal o' his'n is lak his very eyeballs to him; but thet very love an' pride he hez fur her will mek him more ovahbearin' an' obstrep'rous, ef she persists in open disregawd o' his wishes an' commands; an' thah's no tellin' how mean he might git. He might even lock her up.
gpt
If I thought that---- cried Abner.
human
But he's not so much of a villain as that, for all his dictatorialness and his insulting treatment of me.
gpt
But he hain't in his senses jes' now, I tell you, replied Rogers, judicially.
human
Thah's no tellin' how much uv a brute he may act, an' it's her we should be thinkin' uv.
gpt
By heaven, Abner exclaimed, starting up,
human
You'd whut?
gpt
I'd run away with her, he answered, facing Rogers as he spoke.
human
If a father abuses his authority, he no longer merits consideration on the ground of his fatherhood.
gpt
Well, my boy, said Rogers, kindly,
human
I advise patience an' prudence; but ef the wust comes to the wust, an' he begins to act mean to the gal, you'll do right to tek her away. I'll holp you all I kin; leastways, I'll wink et whut you do. Betsy's too fine a gal--bless her sweet face--to be made onhappy jes' bekaze her ole daddy's et up with spitefulness ag'in you an Parson Stone.