human
I didn't know, said his mother.
gpt
He has been going with those large boys so much that I was afraid he was getting too big for his breeches.
human
Are you still angry, Cephas?
gpt
N-o-o,
human
Yes, you are, said Nan,
gpt
I'm the one to blame, said Cephas penitently.
human
Gabriel says you dislike him, and I thought he was only guessing. But he knew better than I did. I had no business to bother you.
gpt
Did Gabriel say I disliked him?
human
He didn't say that word, replied Cephas.
gpt
I think he said you detested him, and I told him he didn't know what he was talking about. But he did; he knew a great deal better than I did, because I didn't really know until just now.
human
But, Cephas! cried Nan;
gpt
I didn't know then, but I know now,
human
Don't be unkind, Cephas. If you knew me better, you'd be sorry for me. You and Gabriel are terribly mistaken. I'm very fond of both of you.
gpt
Oh, _I_ don't count in this game,
human
Oh, yes, you do, said Nan.
gpt
You are one of my dearest friends, and so is Gabriel.
human
All right, said Cephas.
gpt
If you treat all your dearest friends as you do Gabriel, I'm very sorry for them.
human
Cephas, if you tell Gabriel what I said while Eugenia Claiborne was standing there, all ears, I'll never forgive you.
gpt
Tell him that! cried Cephas;
human
Please, Cephas, said Nan.
gpt
Tell him --she paused, and threw her hair away from her pale face--
human
Well, I certainly sha'n't tell him that,
gpt
I didn't think you would, said Nan.
human
You are a nice little boy, and I am going to kiss you good-bye. If you don't have something sweet to tell me when you come back, I'll think you detest me--wasn't that Gabriel's word? Poor Gabriel! he's in prison, and here we are joking about him.
gpt
I'm not joking about him!
human
Just as much as I am,