human
Mr. Burnett? Mamma will be here in a moment. This is our friend, Miss McDonald.
gpt
I see you can read in the country.
human
We pretend to, said Evelyn, who had resumed her seat and indicated a chair for Philip,
gpt
It would be, the governess replied,
human
Oh, I didn't mean all that, but a feeling like that, sweet and retired and sort of lonesome?
gpt
Perhaps Miss McDonald means, said Philip,
human
Yes, that's just it. It is very lovely, like almost any outdoors, if you will give yourself up to it. You remember, Evelyn, how fascinating the Arizona desert was? But there was a romantic addition to the colored desolation because the Spaniards and the Jesuits had been there. Now this place lacks traditions, legends, romance. You have to bring your romance with you.
gpt
And that is the reason you read here?
human
One reason. Especially romances. This charming scenery and the summer sounds of running water and birds make a nice accompaniment to the romance.
gpt
But mamma says, Evelyn interrupted,
human
Well, I confess they don't appeal to me. And as for Indians, Parkman's descriptions of those savages made me squirm. And I don't believe there was much more romance about the early settlers than about their descendants. Isn't it true, Mr. Burnett, that you must have a human element to make any country interesting?
gpt
Good heavens! if there is not human interest here, I don't know where to look for it,
human
Doubtless.
gpt
And why don't you writers do something about it? It is literature that does it, either in Scotland or Judea.
human
Well, said Philip, stoutly,
gpt
And genius,
human
Of course, but it took time to transform a Highland sheep-stealer into a romantic personage.
gpt
That is true. Take a modern instance. Suppose Evangeline had lived in this valley! Or some simple Gretchen about whose simple story all the world is in sympathy!
human
Or, thought Philip,
gpt
But he replied, looking at Evelyn,
human
I believe that any American community usually resents being made the scene of a romance, especially if it is localized by any approach to reality.
gpt
Isn't that the fault mostly of the writer, who vulgarizes his material?
human
The realists say no. They say that people dislike to see themselves as they are.
gpt
Very likely, said Miss McDonald;
human
Oh! wha gift the Giftie gie us; to see o'rselves as others see us.
gpt
Yes, I know the place. It is beyond the river, up that steep road running into the sky, in the next adjoining hill town. I doubt if you find any one there who lays it much to heart. But you can see the mill.
human
What is the Mountain Miller?
gpt
A tract that, when I was a girl, answered Miss McDonald,
human
Well, said Philip,
gpt
Good-morning, Mr. Burnett. I've been down to see Jenkins about his picnic wagon. Carries six, besides the driver and my man, and the hampers. So, you see, Miss Alice will have to go. We couldn't go rattling along half empty. I'll go up and see her this afternoon. So, that's settled. Now about the time and place. You are the director. Let's sit down and plan it out. It looks like good weather for a week.
human
Miss McDonald says she wants to see the Mountain Miller,
gpt
What's that? A monument like your Pulpit Rock?
human
No, a tract about a miller.
gpt
Ah, something religious. I never heard of it. Well, perhaps we had better begin with something secular, and work round to that.