human
Do you know the people who live in these cottages, Mr Dudley? I knew the old tenants, of course, but these are new people, and I have not seen them. Are they old or young, and have they any children?
gpt
John Williams--_puff_--wife--_puff_--one baby, guaranteed to make as much noise as five--it's a marvel it's quiet now--_puff_. You can generally hear it a mile off--
human
Is it ill, then, the poor little thing?
gpt
Healthiest child in the world to judge from its appearance and the strength of its lungs! Natural depravity, nothing else
human
And in the next house?
gpt
Thompson--oldish man--widower. Maiden sister to keep the house in order--Thompson, too, I suspect by the look of him. Looks very sorry for himself, poor soul!
human
What's the matter with him--rheumatism? Is he quite crippled or able to get about?
gpt
Thompson? Splendid workman--agile as a boy. It was his mental condition to which I referred!
human
And in the end house of all?
gpt
Don't know the name. Middle-aged couple, singularly uninteresting, and two big hulking sons--
human
Are they _all_ well, every one of them? Are you quite sure? Are there no invalid daughters, or crippled children, nor people like that?
gpt
Not that I know of, thank goodness! You don't mean to say you _want_ them to be ill? He stared at me as if I were mad, and then suddenly his face changed, and he said softly,
human
Oh, I see! You want to look after them! That's nice of you, and it would have been uncommonly nice for them, too; but, never fear, you will find plenty of people to help, if that's what you want. Their troubles may not take quite such an obvious form as crutches, but they are in just as much need of sympathy, nevertheless. In this immediate neighbourhood, for instance-- He paused for a moment, and I knew he was going to make fun by the twinkle in his eye and the solemn way he puffed out the smoke.
gpt
There's-- myself!
human
Yes, I know! I guessed by what you said about town that you had had some disappointment. I'm dreadfully sorry, and if there's anything at all that I can do--