human
What's the use ter worry, Nancy gal? he said.
gpt
Give it up ez a bad job. I wouldn't fool with no sech scholar ef I wuz you. Ye can't teach an old dog new tricks----
human
I won't give up! she cried with sudden energy.
gpt
I can teach you and I will. I won't give up and be nobody. O Tom, you promised me before we were married to let me teach you--didn't you promise?
human
Yes, Honey, I did---- he paused and his fine teeth gleamed through the black beard--
gpt
Didn't you mean to keep your word?
human
Of course I did, Nancy, I never wuz more earnest in my life--'ceptin when I got religion. But I had no idee larnin' come so hard. I'd ruther fight Injuns an' wil' cats or rob a bee tree any day than ter tackle them pot hooks you're sickin' after me----
gpt
Well, I won't give up, she interrupted impatiently,
human
Ah, Nancy, what do ye want me ter do that fur, anyhow, gal? I'd be the happiest man in the world right here in this cabin by the woods ef you'd jest be happy with me. Can't ye quit hankerin' after them things, Honey?
gpt
You know, Nancy, we wuz neighbors to Dan'l Boone. We thought he wuz about the biggest man that ever lived. Somehow the love o' the woods an' fields is always singin' in my heart. Them still shinin' stars up in the sky out thar to-night keep a callin' me. I could hear the music o' my hounds in my soul ez I stood by the spring a while ago. Ye know what scares me most ter death sometimes, gal?
human
No, what?
gpt
That you'll make a carpenter outen me yit ef I don't mind.
human
I don't think there's much danger of _that_, Tom----