human
If ever you talk like that again I'll punish you by never giving you another kiss.
gpt
I ain't got no right to expect it, anyway, Beth.
human
Uncle Josiah, don't let me hear that again. I want to hear all about your voyage,
gpt
There wa'n't none, that is, none to speak of.
human
Oh! But there was, and it must have been the most mysterious of all. You went in the night, and you came in the night. Did you do all your trading in the night, too, slipping about through the streets in some unknown country with moccasins on your feet, like you once told me about the Chinese?
gpt
There, now! That's more like it! he declared, joining in with a cracked laugh.
human
It seemed afore like I was talking to a young lady I'd never seen. Feel more like I'd got back home with you laughing like that.
gpt
I haven't been indulging much since you went away.
human
You ain't?
gpt
But tell me about your trip.
human
You was right on most p'ints, excepting I didn't cruise back in the night.
gpt
Then how did you slip into town so quietly and unseen? I've been sitting on these cold stones for two days looking for you.
human
I come back by railroad, and just now was walking over from the station.
gpt
But where did you leave the _Jennie P._? Why didn't you come back with her?
human
I run her into dry-dock down to the city for repairs,
gpt
I thought you did all your own repairing.
human
I do when there ain't nothing bad wrong.
gpt
You sailed the _Jennie P._ all the way into the city and left it there?
human
Something went wrong with the engine, and I didn't have no time to tinker with her afore I had to come back. Them there gas engines is worse than a team of mules when they get to bucking and balking. They----
gpt
Captain Pott! Tell me the truth. Why did you leave your boat in the city docks?
human
For the reason I told you.
gpt
Look at me, Uncle Josiah.
human
Can't just now, Beth. I'm watching----
gpt
Oh, please tell me all about it!
human
There ain't nothing more to tell.
gpt
You did not leave the _Jennie P._ in dry-dock for repairs!
human
Tell me, please! she implored.
gpt
You said a little while ago that you were singing to keep up your spirits. Something dreadful has happened. Did you wreck your boat?
human
Hey? Me wreck the _Jennie P._? I tell you honest, Beth, there ain't nothing----
gpt
There ain't no use pretending to you. I sold her.
human
You sold the _Jennie P._?
gpt
I sold the _Jennie P._, he repeated slowly, as though it were hard for him to comprehend that fact.
human
You see, I didn't have no more real need for her, and 'twas kind of expensive to keep her afloat.
gpt
Nonsense!
human
It was a mite expensive, honest, Beth.
gpt
Uncle Josiah! Why didn't you come to me if you were in need of money?
human
I owe your father more now than I'd otter.
gpt
But I love you so!
human
That's wuth more to me than all the money in the world.
gpt
Then, why didn't you come to me?
human
I didn't think of doing that.
gpt
Oh, Uncle Josiah!
human
Yes, I sold my boat. There wa'n't no wonder I was singing, was there? he asked, passing his hand across his face as if to clear his vision.
gpt
I cal'late that song wa'n't much like music to you, but I just naturally had to do something to keep my feelings afloat, didn't I, Beth?
human
Yes.
gpt
I sold her, he said, speaking as though his thoughts were coming by way of his tongue.
human
It wa'n't easy. Just like parting with an old friend. It sort of pulled on me. Odd, ain't it, how an old boat like that can get a hold on a feller?
gpt
No, it is not odd. Some of the happiest moments of my life were spent on board the _Jennie P._
human
Do you honest feel that way about her?
gpt
Yes.
human
I'm mighty glad, Beth, he said, his eyes gleaming with pride.
gpt
She sartin was a worthy craft.
human
Who bought your boat?
gpt
Feller by the name of Peters, who runs a fish business down on East River near Brooklyn bridge. I knew him years ago. His wife's name is Jennie, and I named my boat after her 'cause he was the first man to help me sail her.
human
Why did you go to him without first telling me?
gpt
There wa'n't no time to tell no one. You'd not likely----
human
Oh, you men! You treat us women as if we were numskulls. If you had given me the slightest idea that you intended to sell I should have put in my bid along with others.
gpt
Do you mean you would have bought my _Jennie P._?
human
Why not, pray tell? Haven't I as much right to own a boat as any man you know?
gpt
I do believe you'd have bought her, sartin as death!
human
Of course I should. If---- Her eyes suddenly widened.
gpt
Why did you sell?
human
Same as I said afore, I didn't have no need of her, and she was getting expensive to keep up.
gpt
You said you were not going to pretend to me. Tell me the real reason.
human
I can't.
gpt
In other words, that is the secret of your mysterious trip to the city.
human
Yes, that's my secret.
gpt
My dear old Uncle! she cried.
human
I know your secret! You sold your boat to get money with which to pay Father. You've sold your one little luxury to pay a debt you can never pay.
gpt
You're mistook. I can pay your father every cent I got from him to overhaul my place.
human
But that isn't all!
gpt
It ain't all?
human
I thought I could tell you all about it, but I can't!
gpt
Do you mean you've something you want to say to me, Beth?
human
I can't! I can't! It is so----
gpt
There! There! Don't cry like that. She ain't wuth it.
human
But you are!
gpt
All that there flood sartinly ain't for an old feller like me! Tut! Tut! I sartinly ain't wuth it. I'm nothing but a leaky old ark what had otter been towed in long ago, safe and high to some dry-dock.
human
Uncle Josiah, you are the only uncle I've ever had. I love you next to my father. You are the only man who has ever understood me. I have many times come to you before going to my own father. And, now, that you are in trouble, and I might have helped you----
gpt
Tush. Tush. Don't cry over an old salt like me. I tell you I ain't wuth it, not one precious drop.
human
If you only knew!
gpt
Maybe I ain't so deep in the fog as you think. I took another trip while I was in the city to see a lawyer, and I found out some mighty interesting things.
human
But he couldn't tell you everything.
gpt
Beth, is there something you'd otter tell me?
human
There is--there was--but I guess----Did you see a good lawyer?
gpt
The best I could find.
human
Then, why did you sacrifice your boat? It was so needless.
gpt
I had to have that much money right off, and there wa'n't no time to look about. I didn't think you'd take it like this or I'd sartin never done it.
human
If you had only come to me I could have let you have that much without you having to sell your boat.
gpt
It would have been a mite queer to borrow from you to pay your dad, wouldn't it?
human
What does that matter?
gpt
Nothing, much.... But you was going to tell me something.
human
Not now. I might cry again, and I've been silly enough for one day.
gpt
You ain't been silly, not one mite. I had no right to make you cry by telling you things that don't consarn you.
human
Indeed, you should have told me, and it does concern, far more than you think, she replied, drying her eyes and cheeks.
gpt
I know I must look frightful.
human
You don't look nothing of the sort. You couldn't if you tried to.
gpt
Will you be home to-night, Uncle Josiah?
human
Cal'late to be.
gpt
May I come to see you?
human
That's a funny question. I should say you can come. Clemmie will be real glad to see you, and so will the minister.
gpt
I'm coming to see you, she said, coloring.
human
I'm going home now. Good-bye.