human
The old man goes to By-by bientot,
gpt
You don't think he'll last long?
human
Maybe ten days; maybe one. If we don't get the girl, out goes his torchlight straight.
gpt
She's been very good to him.
human
He's been on his knees to her all her life.
gpt
There'll be trouble out of this, though.
human
Pshaw! The girl is her own master.
gpt
I mean, someone will probably get hurt over there.
human
That's in the game. The girl is worth fighting for, hein?
gpt
Of course, and the law must protect her. It's a free country.
human
So true, my captain, murmured Pierre drily.
gpt
It is wonderful what a man will do for the law.
human
You are always hitting at the law, he said.
gpt
Why do you stand by it now?
human
For the same reason as yourself.
gpt
What is that?
human
She has your picture in her room, she has my lucky dollar in her pocket.
gpt
We'd better settle this thing at once. If you're going to Fort O'Battle because you've set your fancy there, you'd better go back now. That's straight. You and I can't sail in the same boat. I'll go alone, so give me the pistol.
human
T'sh! What a high- cock-a-lorum! You want to do it all yourself--to fill the eye of the girl alone, and be tucked away to By-by for your pains--mais, quelle folie! See: you go for law and love; I go for fun and Jimmy Throng. The girl? Pshaw! she would come out right in the end, without you or me. But the old man with half a lung--that's different. He must have sweet bread in his belly when he dies, and the girl must make it for him. She shall brush her hair with the ivory brush by Sunday morning.
gpt
You've been spying, he said.
human
You've been in her room--you--
gpt
Slow, slow, he said;
human
Suddenly, with a soft fierceness, he added:
gpt
If I looked in her room, what of that? In all the North is there a woman to say I wrong her? No. Well, what if I carry her room in my eye; does that hurt her or you?
human
Let's drop the thing, Pierre.
gpt
When Throng is put to By-by what will you do?
human
I will marry her, if she'll have me.
gpt
But she is prairie-born, and you!
human
I'm a prairie-rider.
gpt
So quiet and clean, and the print calico and muslin, and the ivory brush!