human
Sure she's a fine woman is Granny Meehan! he said, in answer to some opinion I had given concerning her;
gpt
How did she come to have the care of Miss Winifred and to live in the old castle?
human
Well, none of us knows--that is, to be sure about it. Master Roderick, he was a gay, sportin' lad. I mind him well, tearin' about the country on his white horse, stoppin' a night now at the ould place above; and away agin, no one knew whither. His father, who owned the place before him and lived in it every year for a few weeks, was dead and so were all belongin' to him. The landlord drew breath and lowered his voice somewhat.
gpt
Well, in some of his wanderin's about the country what does he do but get married, an' we never seen the bride down here at all, at all; but it was the talk of the country-side that she was of a fine ould stock an' a rale lady. But he never brought her next or nigh the ould place. Perhaps it was ashamed of its bein' ruinous-like or afeard of the gossip of the country-side.
human
It was on All-Hallow-Eve that Winifred there came to the castle. Mrs. Meehan, who had been nurse to Master Roderick himself, was brought up from the village in haste. Fires were lighted, beds got ready, and toward nightfall a gentleman in black rode up to the castle door. Now, some that saw him say it was the young gentleman himself riding his white horse, but more says it was a stranger; and coming the way he did and on that night of all nights! It's a quare story, and no wonder that the child's different from other childer.
gpt
How old was she when she came?
human
Well, I think it would be about seven, though none of us ever rightly knew.
gpt
Did the father visit her?
human
From that time to this, said the landlord, impressively,
gpt
he concluded, with a toss of the head.
human
Meself thinks she's Master Roderick's daughter; though why he should give her up and never come near her is more than any mortal can tell.
gpt
It is a curious story, I said;
human
There's more than her that won't name him, said the landlord;
gpt
But who is he?
human
Now, ma'am dear, said the landlord,
gpt
I have been discoursin' to you already of things that mebbe shouldn't pass my lips, and I'd be entirely obliged if you wouldn't ask me to have part nor parcel with them that's unlucky, nor so much as to name them.