human
Why, man, 'an my feather had said sic like words to me, I should have gone stark staring mad with fear and sheame.
gpt
The shame should be all on his side then, quoth the incorrigible Bob.
human
I did not make him the bad man he was, though he made me. He was always an ugly fellow, and the scorching he has got down there (and he pointed significantly to the ground) has not improved his looks. But mother would know him in a minute.
gpt
I never want to see your father again, Robert, said Martha, doggedly;
human
For the love he bore you while on earth, said the dutiful son, glancing round the group with a knowing look.
gpt
Dad is sure of a kind reception from you, mother.
human
The day he was buried, said Martha,
gpt
How did he come by his death, Mother Mason?
human
He was killed in a row with the smugglers, said Bob.
gpt
He had helped them to land some brandy, and they wanted to cheat him out of his pay. Father had lots of pluck. He had lost an eye once before in such a frolic. He attacked the whole band single-handed, and got knocked on the head in the scuffle. The smugglers ran away, and left mother to bury the dead.
human
He only got what he deserved, muttered Martha.
gpt
It is a pity he did not get it twenty years before. But he is gone to his place, and I am determined to keep mine. A ghost has no legal claim to the property of the living, and he shall never get possession of this house, living or dead, again.
human
But suppose, Martha, he should take it into his head to haunt it, and make it too hot to hold you, said Tom Weston,
gpt
I think I know a secret or two that would lay the ghost, returned Martha; and hobbling across the kitchen on her crutch, she lifted down an old horse-pistol that was suspended to one of the low cross-beams, and wiping the dust from it with her apron, she carefully examined the lock.
human
This should speak my welcome to all such unwelcome intruders. It has released more than one troublesome spirit from its clay tenement, and I have no doubt that it would be found equally efficacious in quieting others--that is, if they have the audacity to try their strength against me; and she glanced disdainfully at her son from beneath her bushy lowering brows.
gpt
This brown dog is old, but he can still _bark_ and _bite_!
human
How vicious mother looks! said Bob, with a loud laugh.
gpt
It would require a ghost with some pluck to face her.
human
What time did the spectre appear last night? said Tom Weston, who saw that mischief was brewing, and was anxious to turn the subject into another channel.
gpt
I should like amazingly to see it.
human
That's all bosh! said Bob.
gpt
You would soon cut and run. But if you are in earnest, come with me to the cross-road, and I promise to introduce you to the old gentleman. The clock has just struck eleven, he will be taking his rounds by the time we get there.
human
Not in your company, Mason. It would be enough to raise the Devil.
gpt
Well, please yourself. I knew you would not have pluck enough. I shall go, however. I want to have a few minutes' conversation with the ghost before he appears in public. Perhaps he will show me where to find a hidden treasure. Good-by, mother; shall I give your compliments to the old gentleman? Love, I know, is out of the question. You had none to spare for him when he was alive.
human
Away with you, for a blasphemous reprobate that you are!
gpt
Mammy's own darling son!