human
Who is that? La! Mr. Sanders, you sho did skeer me, exclaimed Edie.
gpt
Why, when did you come? I would as soon have spected to see a ghost!
human
You'll see 'em here before you're much older, replied Mr. Sanders, grimly.
gpt
They ain't fur off. Wher's Ike?
human
La! ef you know anything about Ike you know more than I does. I ain't laid eyes on that nigger man, not sence----
gpt
Not sence the night Hotchkiss was killed,
human
La, Mr. Sanders! how'd you know that? But it's the truth: I ain't never seen Ike sence that night.
gpt
I know a heap more'n you think I do, Mr. Sanders remarked.
human
Hotchkiss was talkin' to you at the gate thar when he was shot. What was he sayin'?
gpt
Why, he wan't sayin' a word, hardly; I was doin' all the talkin'. I was settin' on the step there, an' I seen him passin', an' hollad at him. I ast him if he wouldn't have a drink of cold water, an' he said he would, an' I took it out to the gate, an' while I was talkin', they shot him. They certainly did.
human
Did you ask Ike about it?
gpt
La! I ain't seen Ike sence that night,
human
Now, Edie, said Mr. Sanders, with a frown to match the severity of his voice,
gpt
La, Mr. Sanders! you talk like you was watchin' me. 'Twa'n't my apern, 'twas my han's. I didn't have on no apern that night; I had on my Sunday frock.
human
An' you know jest as well as I do that Ike come in here an' stood over you, an' said somethin' to you.
gpt
No, sir; he didn't stand over me; I was here --she illustrated his position by her movements--
human
What did he say?
gpt
He said, replied Edie, smiling to show her pretty teeth,
human
I don't know as I ever did, replied Mr. Sanders, regarding her with an expression akin to pity.
gpt
But times has changed.
human
They certainly has, said Edie.
gpt
I tell you what, Mr. Sanders, I don't b'live Mr. Hotchkiss was a man. She looked up at Mr. Sanders, as she made the remark. Catching his eye, she exclaimed--
human
I don't; I declare I don't! I never will believe it.