human
I kind o' 'spect you've forgotten me, Mister Cotton. I used to work in them days at Farmer Humphrey's, up Wood-lane. You have grow'd an old-looking man since I seed you last. You were young and spry enough then. I didna b'leeve the tales that volk did tell of 'un--that you were the Squire's own son. But you be as loike him now as two peas. The neebors wor right arter all.
gpt
They say as how you've grow'd a rich man yoursel' since that time. Is the old 'uman, your mother, livin' still?
human
She is dead, said Noah, turning his back abruptly on the interrogator, and addressing himself to the mistress of the house.
gpt
Mrs. Mason, I have been very ill. I feel better, but the fit has left me weak and exhausted. Can you give me a bed and a room to myself, where I could sleep the effects of it quietly off?
human
My beds are engaged, was the curt reply of the surly dame.
gpt
Pray how long have you been subject to those fits?
human
For several years. Ever since I had the typhus fever. And now the least mental anxiety brings them on.
gpt
So it appears. Particularly the sight of an old friend when least expected. This is strange, and she smiled significantly;
human
He was indeed, sighed the stranger.
gpt
It was not until after I lost him, that I knew how much I was indebted to him. Then suddenly turning from her, he looked stedfastly towards the open door.
human
It rains cats and dogs, mother; you surely cannot refuse me a bed on such a night?
gpt
I have already told you, I have no bed to spare. To speak the plain truth, added she, with a grim smile,
human
I don't like your hang-dog face, and want none of your company. If you're afraid of a shadow, you are either a great coward, or a big fool. I despise both characters. If not, you are a designing rogue, and enough of such folks come here every night.
gpt
I will pay you well for the accommodation,
human
Mother, he be as rich as a Jew,
gpt
Mr. Cotton, if you will step into the next house, I will give you my bed for the night.
human
The bold hussy!
gpt
Is it far to go?
human
Only a step; just out of one door into the other. If you be afraid, she continued, looking up into his gloomy but handsome face with an arch smile,
gpt
I will protect you. I am afraid of thunder, but not of ghosts. Come along; depend upon it we shall not see anything worse than ourselves.
human
There's many a true word spoken at random, said Martha, glancing after the twain, as the door closed upon them.
gpt
I'll bet all I'm worth in the world that that fellow is not afraid of nothing; he's troubled with a bad conscience. He's a hateful, unlucky-looking fellow! I'm glad that bold girl relieved me of his company.
human
Martha, said Josh,
gpt
This circumstance, apparently, gave him great importance in the poor man's eyes.
human
That Squire Carlos, who wor murdered by Bill Martin, left in his will a mort a' money to Noah Cotton. People do say that he wor his son.
gpt
A likely story, that!
human
He is very like the Squire, at any rate, said the little tailor.
gpt
I knew him for several years, and always found him a decent quiet fellow; rather proud, and fond of dressing above his rank, perhaps. But then, he always paid his tailor's bill like a gentleman. Indeed, many that I make for, who call themselves gentlemen, might take pattern by him. He was a very handsome young fellow in those days, tall, straight, and exceedingly well made; as elastic and supple as an eel; and was the best cricket-player in the county. I don't know what can have come across Noah, that he looks so gaunt and thin, and is such an old man before his time. He has been given to those terrible fits ever since he made one of the party that found the body of Mr. Carlos. It's no wonder; for he loved the Squire; and the Squire was mortal fond of him. He became very religious after he got that shock, and has been a very strict Methodist ever since.
human
He's not a bit the better for that, said Martha.
gpt
The greatest sinners stand in need of the longest prayers. I thought that he had been a Methodist parson, by the cut of his jib. Where, my lads, turning to the two men who had brought him in,
human
Why, do ye see, mistress, that I've been a' harvesting with 'un, an' he tuk me in the taxed cart with 'un to the bank, to get change to pay me my wages. Going into town this morning, the hoss got skeared by some boys playing at ball. The ball struck the beast plump in the eye, an' cut it so shocking bad, that measter left 'un with the hoss doctor, and proposed for us to walk home in the cool o' the evening, as the distance is only eight miles or thereabouts. Before we starts home he takes me to the Crown Inn, and treats me to a pot of ale, an' while there he meets with some old acquaintance, who was telling him how he knew his father, old Noah, in 'Mericky; an' how he had died very rich, an' left his money to a wife he had there, that he never married. An' I thought as how measter didn't much like the news, as his father, it seems, had left him nothing--not even his blessing. Well, 'twas nigh upon twelve o'clock when we started. 'You'd better stay all night, measter,' says I; ''tis nigh upon morning.' 'Sam Smith,' says he, 'I cannot sleep out o' my own bed;' and off we sets. On the bridge we heerd the first big clap o' thunder; the next minute we sor the ghost, and my measter gives a screech which might have roused old Squire Carlos from the dead, and straight fell down in a fit. The ghost vanished in the twinkling of an eye; an' I met this good man, who helped me to bring Noah up here. He's a kind measter, Noah Cotton, but a wonderful timersome man. I've heerd him, when we've been at work in the fields, start at the shivering of an aspen leaf, and cry out, 'Sam! what's that?'
gpt
Did not Noah say summat about having lost his yellow canvas bag with his money? asked the other man;
human
What, did a'?
gpt
If the ghost robbed Noah Cotton of his canvas bag, that was what no living man could do! cried Bob Mason, bursting into the room, and cutting sundry mad capers round the floor.
human
Hurrah for the ghost!