human
He worships you. I foresaw it plain. Most uncommon for Sultan to worship anyone.
gpt
Often he growls with menace --Charity approached, awkward in a shapeless brown frock that did her no good--
human
I'd've gone straight up in the air. A perfect ambush.
gpt
Did you play Inj'an when you was young?
human
Oh, I did, Mistress Charity, my brother and I. Used to sneak off to the woods where we were forbidden to go, which was wrong of us.
gpt
Why?
human
The woods were dangerous--real Inj'ans.
gpt
I've seen real ones--not wild, though. She came nearer, not by walking but by a side-to-side evolution of spread feet, carrying her like a statue on small wheels.
human
Christian Indians, talked English all piggedy-gulp.
gpt
I remember an old Indian at Deerfield, supposed to be a Christian. A Pocumtuck. Wore a cast-off bodice for a breechclout, and was alway---- Ben remembered the failing of Captain Jenks--
human
Faith is dressing her hair different, the which you're obliged to notice or she'll be in a taking, the which I think is poo.
gpt
I'll be sure to notice it, Mistress Charity.
human
Be you --Charity jerked her head; upstairs Ben could hear a muted ripple of women's voices--
gpt
Charity, I've met her but the once.
human
I thought a person alway knew.
gpt
Oh--maybe they do and I'm just foolish.
human
I guess you are, but very wonderful.
gpt
Not poo,
human
Do you go often to church, Mistress Charity?
gpt
We're Church of England.
human
Oh, so was my mother.
gpt
Then a'n't you too?
human
Well--my father was not a member of the congregation at Deerfield, and my Uncle John is not a churchgoer, nor--nor am I.
gpt
Um. Thought everyone was obliged to go.
human
My Uncle John says it was so, years past. Now, if everyone went there wouldn't be meeting-houses to hold 'em.... Do you like going?
gpt
Mr. Binyon was very wonderful.
human
He is--no longer with you?
gpt
I do treasure his memory. He thundered, as with the voice of many waters.
human
He--uh--died?
gpt
Nay, he went back to England. Later they said his steps went down unto the--that is, he joined--well, somebody. I don't just know. Mr. Mitching is not wonderful. He whuffles. In fact he is....
human
Poo?
gpt
I don't say so.
human
You are different. Mr. Binyon spoke as with the voice of angels. Somebody said he was forty--he didn't look so terrible old.... Were all your people killed at Deerfield, Mr. Cory?
gpt
My father and mother. My brother escaped, with me. He's fifteen now, and I'm seventeen. And you?
human
Thirteen in May. A sad time--nobody will ever listen.
gpt
You don't mean you're going to be thirteen forever?
human
Do not be poo....
gpt
He's a much better student than I, Reuben is.
human
I can read, by the way.... Was your mother very beautiful?
gpt
Why--yes, Charity, she was. Everyone should be able to read.
human
I thought so because you are beautiful.
gpt
Now, Charity! You ought not----
human
I know. Alway, everything wrong.
gpt
Not that, but--oh, never mind.... What do you like to read?
human
Not romances. Faith reads those, by the way.
gpt
I've read but a few. In Mr. Kenny's helter-skelter library, Ben had had a glimpse of Aphra Behn and her long-winded imitators; he had rather enjoyed the swashbuckling of _Oroonoko_.
human
Our tutor keeps us so hard pressed with the classics we can't read much else.
gpt
Um ... Mr. Cory, is it true that swallows spend the winter at the bottom of frozen ponds and streams all naked of any feathers?
human
Nay, I've heard that but don't believe it. They must go south like so many others and return in the spring.
gpt
Um. All the same I drew a picture of some of them under the water all naked of any feathers, and another on the brink--he hath just risen and put his feathers on again. She gulped and stuck out a blunt jaw.
human
I draw many pictures, when I ought to be sewing. I like cooking if I can cook what I like.
gpt
But sewing is poo?
human
You too would think so, had you been obliged to do it. Would you wish to behold the picture I made of swallows under the water all naked of any feathers and one on the brink?
gpt
Yes, I would, Charity.