human
Surely you are mistaken, said Eugenia.
gpt
It is too ridiculous. Why, Paul--Mr. Paul is----
human
Go on, chile: say it out; don't be shame er me. Nobody can't say nothin' good 'bout dat boy but what I kin put a lots mo' on what dey er tellin'. Silas Tomlin done tol' me out'n his own mouf dat Paul went fum de house vowin' he'd never come back.
gpt
Why did you come here hunting for Paul?
human
Oh, go away, Miss Genia! exclaimed Rhody, laughing.
gpt
Are you very fond of him?
human
Who--_me_? Why, honey, I raised 'im. Sick er well, I nussed 'im fer long years. I helt 'im in deze arms nights an' nights, when all he had ter do fer ter leave dis vale wuz ter fetch one gasp an' go. Ef his daddy had done all dat, he wouldn't 'a' druv de boy fum home.
gpt
Oh, don't say he was driven from home! cried Eugenia, rising and placing a hand on Rhody's arm.
human
If you talk that way, other people will take it up, and it won't be pleasant for Paul.
gpt
Dat sho is a mighty purty han', exclaimed Rhody enthusiastically, ignoring the grave advice of the young woman.
human
I'm gwine ter show somebody de place whar you laid it, an' I bet you he'll wanter cut de cloff out an' put it in his alvum.
gpt
Well'm, he ain't here, sho, an' here's whar he oughter be; but I'll fin' 'im dis night an' ef he ain't gwine back home, I ain't gwine back--you kin put dat down.
human
Ah-yi! she exclaimed,
gpt
Deyer holdin' a reg'lar expeunce meetin' in dar, she said.
human
Miss Fanny sho is a plum sight!
gpt
Come in, Rhody, said Miss Fanny.
human
I know you are there. You always send a message, and then go along with it to see if it is delivered correctly. 'Twould save a great deal of trouble if the rest of us were to adopt your plan.
gpt
I hope you all is well, remarked Rhody, as she made her appearance.
human
I declar', Miss Fanny, you look good enough to eat.
gpt
Well, I do eat,
human
I mean you look good enough ter be etted,
gpt
Now, that is what I call a nice compliment, Miss Fanny observed complacently.
human
Brother Pulaski, if I am ever 'etted' you won't have to raise a monument to my memory.
gpt
No wonder you look young, laughed Rhody.
human
Anybody what kin git fun out'n a graveyard is bleeze ter look young.