human
Look here, Parson, he said, speaking very fast, and looking very much embarrassed,--which was an odd thing for Billy,--
gpt
Why, no, Billy, said Mr. March;
human
Ain't these yer preachin' clo'es?
gpt
Why, yes, I have preached in them, Billy; but I do not expect ever to again. I must wear them out, though.
human
Not in these parts, Parson, said Billy, solemnly, shaking his head.
gpt
Yer don't know minin' towns so well's I do. Ef I was to take you down town in that rig, there wouldn't one o' the fellers open his head to yer. They'd shet up jest like snappin' turtles. Ye jest go upstairs 'n' put on the clo'es ye allers wears won't ye?
human
Why, certainly, Billy, if you really think it would make any difference about my making friends with the people. I don't want to offend anybody. These are pretty old clothes, though, Billy, if they only knew it. It was to save my others that I put them on. But I'll change them, if you say so.
gpt
There, he said,
human
Tender-feet! exclaimed Mr. March;
gpt
Tender-feet.
human
Well, he said at last,
gpt
I see! I see! he said.
human
Well now, Billy, you don't think there'd be any danger of my ever being called a 'Tender-foot' do you?
gpt
Not a bit of it, Parson, said Billy, emphatically,
human
added Billy, thinking he would make sure that the danger did not occur again.
gpt
Thet is, he continued,
human
I don't go to dances, Billy, said Mr. March;
gpt
Where can the children be going? said Mr. March.
human
Rob! Nelly!
gpt
What, papa?
human
Where are you going?
gpt
Oh, only a little way up this road,
human
Don't you want to come with me?
gpt
Do you want us, papa?
human
Why, no, certainly not, replied Mr. March,
gpt
We'd rather go up on the hill, papa, said Rob.
human
Mamma said we might, if we wouldn't go out of sight of the hotel. Good-by!
gpt
Good-by, papa!
human
Them youngsters got silver on the brain, he said.
gpt
Thet's what's the matter with them. I've seen plenty o' grown folks jest the same way in this country: a walkin', walkin' by the month to a time, a pokin' into every hole, 'n' a hammerin' every stone,--jest wild after gold 'n' silver. There's plenty on 'em's jest wasted time enough on't to ha' made a considerable money, if they'd stuck to some kind o' regular work. That little chap o' yourn, he's a driver; he hain't never let go the idee of findin' a silver mine, sence the day they hauled all them mica stuns down, back there'n the Pass. They're a rare couple, he 'n' Nelly: they are.
human
Yes, they are good children, said Mr. March: