human
It's a mighty bad thing, Jim, when a feller lets the furniture of his house get more important than himself, ain't it? It leaves him kind of bare when it's all moved out.
gpt
Josiah, you're right. It's even worse when the furniture has been stolen, remarked the man. He raised his head and looked at the little gilt-framed picture on the desk. He covered his face. With a dry sob he folded his arms across the picture, and dropped his head upon them.
human
My God! I didn't mean to do it when I began. I must have been insane. It seemed so easy at the time. I've suffered a thousand hells all these years!
gpt
I know. You just went along the way that seemed easy-like. At fust it ain't hard to go with the greedy crowd, but the turning's mighty hard. You sartin went the easiest way for yourself, Jim, but them you done wrong to, died in awful poverty.
human
I can't stand any more!
gpt
John told me that Adoniah was going to get your hide after he got back here, but when he see you was married and had a little baby----
human
Stop it, Josiah! Do with me as you like, but don't tell me any more. I'll go insane!
gpt
I cal'late what you said about suffering your share is as nigh the truth as you've come in many a year. If I'd been intending to give you up to that old woman, do you cal'late I'd brought you in here?
human
Josiah, do you mean that you do not intend to give me up?
gpt
Not if you're willing to obey orders. Others have been suffering, and that's got to stop.
human
I'll do anything you say.
gpt
The fust thing, that Sim Hicks and his gang has got to be choked off.
human
I don't know what you refer to, but----
gpt
Jim, I thought we'd cut out that old green line of pretending. I ain't going to nibble, so just stop casting it at me. I mean his booze-selling to them boys.
human
That can be arranged,
gpt
Thought it likely could. The second little matter is that Mr. McGowan is going to stay right here in this church as minister.
human
I'll do my best----Yes, I shall see to that.
gpt
Now, about that money you stole from his dad. That goes back to Mack with interest.
human
But, Josiah, I can't do that. It would ruin me. I wouldn't mind for myself, but my family----
gpt
I know, that's the hard part of paying off old debts, the innocent has got to suffer. But that can be fixed so it won't bother you much. It might do you good to take a taste of your own medicine.
human
Can this be done without the village finding it out?
gpt
It's purty hard to give up your position as village hero, ain't it, Jim? I cal'late it's going to be purty tolerable hard to dress a hypocrite up like a saint without people finding it out sooner or later, but we'll try it for a spell. Harold said to-night that he'd draw up papers for you. We're going to try to keep this a sort of family skeleton.
human
How can I ever thank you!
gpt
You'd best give them thanks to the Almighty.
human
I do, most heartily.
gpt
Just touch a match to this paper you dropped. Here 'tis. I cal'late you wa'n't intending for no one to see this but Beth.
human
That is true, Josiah. I wished to keep her from going any further with Mr. McGowan.
gpt
One word more about money. What are you going to do about the loan on this place?
human
You may keep that, Josiah, as a token of my appreciation for what you have done.
gpt
Not this one, said the Captain.
human
That's honest enough to pass. I mean that one the interest has been paid on all these years.
gpt
I'm afraid that my lawyers foreclosed on that at noon----
human
From what Harold said, I cal'late you'll find the interest was paid afore they had a chance to foreclose. If I was you, Jim, I'd just cancel that mortgage. The interest has more than paid it back these years. Mack's estate otter be clear.
gpt
And we'll just include everything you owe Mack in the papers Harold is going to draw up?
human
I'll be only too glad to do as you say. But how about this Rogers woman?
gpt
I'll see to her. She'd never recognize you as the dude who beat her son-in-law. You've changed consider'ble since then. You've even changed a mite to-night.
human
Is that all, Josiah?
gpt
Yes. I cal'late you'd best be going.
human
Thanks, Josiah. You have been very kind to me. More than I deserve.
gpt
There ain't no room for argument on that p'int.
human
If I was you, Jim, I'd keep my oar out of that love affair of Mack and Beth.
gpt
Quite right, Josiah. Good night.