human
Good-morning, Meriwether, she said pleasantly;
gpt
Upon my word, you look twenty years younger,
human
Do I, indeed? Then trouble must be good for me. Still, I don't appreciate it. I am an old woman, my dear, and all the years of my life I have had a contempt for those who fly into a rage, or lose their tempers. And now, look at me! Never in all your days have you seen a woman in such a rage as I have felt all day and still feel!
gpt
The idea! exclaimed Miss Fanny.
human
Why, you look as cool as a cucumber.
gpt
Yes, the idea! echoed Mrs. Lumsden.
human
If I had those miserable creatures in my power, do you know what I would do? Do you know, Meriwether?
gpt
I can't imagine, Lucy,
human
Well, I'll not tell you if you don't know. She seated herself, but rose immediately, and went to the window, where she stood looking out, and tapping gently on the pane with her fingers. She stood there only a short time.
gpt
You may imagine that I am nervous, she said, turning away from the window,
human
She held out her hand to illustrate. It was frail, but firm.
gpt
No, she went on,
human
I am not nervous; I am simply furious. I know what you came for, my friends, and it is very kind of you; but it is useless. I love you both well, and I know what you would say. I have said such things to my friends, and thought I was performing a duty.
gpt
Well, you know the old saying, Lucy, said Meriwether Clopton.
human
Misery loves company. We are all in the same boat, and it seems to be a leaky one. I have heard it said that a woman's wit is sometimes better than a man's wisdom, and, for my part, I have not come to see if you needed to be consoled, but to find out your views.
gpt
I have none, she said somewhat curtly.
human
Show me a piece of blue cloth, and I'll tear it to pieces. That is the only thought or idea I have.
gpt
Well, that doesn't help us much,
human
Howdy, everybody, he said in his informal way, as he entered the room. He was warm, and instead of leaving his hat on the hall-rack, he had kept it in his hand, and was using it as a fan.
gpt
Miss Lucy, he said,
human
I won't take up two minutes of your time----
gpt
Mr. Sanders, you may take up two hours of my time. Time! Mrs. Lumsden exclaimed bitterly--
human
Oh, it ain't nigh as bad as you think, remarked Mr. Sanders, as cheerfully as he could.
gpt
But I want to settle a p'int or two. Do you remember what time it was when Gabriel come home the night Hotchkiss was killed?
human
Why, he went out directly after supper, and came in--well, I don't remember when he came in. I must have been asleep.
gpt
Um-m,
human
Is it important?
gpt
It may turn out to be right down important,