human
Her father, sir!
gpt
Yes, said the farmer,
human
An old family, Mr. Blaize--is it not?
gpt
Gentlefolks--what's left of 'em,
human
And that's her father?
gpt
That's her father, young gentleman!
human
Mr. Blaize, Richard turned to face him, and burst out,
gpt
Gone, sir! packed off!--Can't have her here now.
human
Mr. Blaize, Richard leaned forward to get closer to him. He was stunned, and hardly aware of what he was saying or doing:
gpt
Where has she gone? Why did she leave?
human
You needn't to ask, sir--ye know,
gpt
But she did not--it was not her wish to go?
human
No! I think she likes the place. Mayhap she likes't too well!
gpt
Why did you send her away to make her unhappy, Mr. Blaize?
human
Nobody can't accuse me. Tell ye what, sir. I wunt have the busybodies set to work about her, and there's all the matter. So let you and I come to an understandin'.
gpt
Am I the cause of her going?
human
Well! returned the farmer,
gpt
What can I do, Mr. Blaize, that she may come back again
human
Now, said the farmer,
gpt
Give her up!
human
Ay, that's it! said the farmer.
gpt
Give her up.
human
You sent her away to protect her from me, then?
gpt
That's not quite it, but that'll do,
human
Do you think I shall harm her, sir?
gpt
People seem to think she'll harm you, young gentleman,
human
Harm me--she? What people?
gpt
People pretty intimate with you, sir.
human
What people? Who spoke of us?
gpt
Well, sir, look here, said the farmer.
human
It ain't no secret, and if it be, I don't see why I'm to keep it. It appears your education's peculiar! The farmer drawled out the word as if he were describing the figure of a snake.
gpt
You ain't to be as other young gentlemen. All the better! You're a fine bold young gentleman, and your father's a right to be proud of ye. Well, sir--I'm sure I thank him for't he comes to hear of you and Luce, and of course he don't want nothin' o' that--more do I. I meets him there! What's more I won't have nothin' of it. She be my gal. She were left to my protection. And she's a lady, sir. Let me tell ye, ye won't find many on 'em so well looked to as she be--my Luce! Well, Mr. Fev'rel, it's you, or it's her--one of ye must be out o' the way. So we're told. And Luce--I do believe she's just as anxious about yer education as yer father she says she'll go, and wouldn't write, and'd break it off for the sake o' your education. And she've kep' her word, haven't she?--She's a true'n. What she says she'll do!--True blue she be, my Luce! So now, sir, you do the same, and I'll thank ye.