human
Ah! How delighted my boy will be when he returns, to find that so much has been done during his absence.
gpt
You are surprised to hear me speak so confidently? Well, I can only speak as I feel. I have had, for some days past, a presentiment--you will think me, doubtless, weak for yielding to it. I am not superstitious.
human
Not so, said Claude,
gpt
True. You speak, if not like a physician, yet like a metaphysician; so you will not laugh at me, and compel the weak old man and his fancy to take refuge with a girl--who is not weak.--Grace, darling, you think still that he is coming?
human
Yes, she half whispered.
gpt
He is coming soon to us: or else we are soon going to him. It may mean that, sir. Perhaps it is better that it should.
human
It matters little, child, if he be near, as near he is. I tell you, Mr. Mellot, this conviction has become so intense during the last week, that--that I believe I should not be thrown off my balance if he entered at this moment.... I feel him so near me, sir, that--that I could swear, did I not know how the weak brain imitates expected sounds, that I heard his footstep outside now.
gpt
I heard horses' footsteps, says Claude.--
human
Ah, there comes Stangrave and our host.
gpt
I heard them: but I heard my boy's likewise,
human
Well, Ned! In good company, eh? That's right. Mortal cold I am! We shall have a white Christmas, I expect. Snow's coming.
gpt
What sport?
human
Oh! Nothing new. Bothered about Sidricstone till one. Got away at last with an old fox, and over the downs into the vale. I think Mr. Stangrave liked it?
gpt
Mr. Stangrave likes the vale better than the vale likes him. I have fallen into two brooks following, Claude; to the delight of all the desperate Englishmen.
human
Oh! You rode straight enough, sir! You must pay for your fun in the vale:--but then you have your fun. But there were a good many falls the last ton minutes: ground heavy, and pace awful; old rat-tail had enough to do to hold his own. Saw one fellow ride bang into a pollard-willow, when there was an open gate close to him--cut his cheek open, and lay; but some one said it was only Smith of Ewebury, so I rode on.
gpt
I hope you English showed more pity to your wounded friends in the Crimea, quoth Stangrave, laughing,
human
I wanted to stop and pick him up: but Mr. Armsworth would not hear of it.
gpt
Oh, sir, if it had been a stranger like you, half the field would have been round you in a minute: but Smith don't count--he breaks his neck on purpose three days a week:--by the by, Doctor, got a good story of him for you. Suspected his keepers last month. Slips out of bed at two in the morning; into his own covers, and blazes away for an hour. Nobody comes. Home to bed, and tries the same thing next night. Not a soul comes near him. Next morning has up keepers, watchers, beaters, the whole posse; and 'Now, you rascals! I've been poaching my own covers two nights running, and you've been all drunk in bed. There are your wages to the last penny; and vanish! I'll be my own keeper henceforth; and never let me see your faces again!
human
Well: but did you kill your fox?
gpt
All right: but it was a burster,--just what I always tell Mr. Stangrave. Afternoon runs are good runs; pretty sure of an empty fox and a good scent after one o'clock.
human
Exactly, answered a fresh voice from behind;