human
I expect this may be the last time I can get so fur, she announced.
gpt
They're smart,
human
I tell ye this is beautiful pie, said the guest, looking up, after a brief and busy silence;
gpt
I don't know's I see any change to speak of,
human
Lord bless you, an' Heaven too! I ain't eat no such pie as this sence I was a girl. Your rule, was it, or poor Mis' Haydon's?
gpt
I've always made my pies that same way, said Maria soberly.
human
I'm pleased you should enjoy it.
gpt
I expect my walk give me an extry appetite. I can walk like a bird, now, I tell ye; last summer I went eleven miles, an' ag'in nine miles. You just ought to see me on the road, an' here I be, goin' on seventy-seven year old. There ain't so many places to go to as there used to be. I've known a sight o' nice kind folks that's all gone. It's re'lly sad how folks is goin'. There's all Mis' Nash's folks passed away; the old doctor, an' the little grandgirl, an' Mis' Nash that was like a mother to me, an' always had some thin' to give me; an' down to Glover's Corner they're all gone
human
Yes, anybody feels such changes, replied Maria compassionately.
gpt
You've seen trouble, ain't you?
human
I've seen all kinds of trouble,
gpt
How is your daughter to South Atfield gettin' along?
human
Lord bless you! this pie is so heartenin', somehow or 'nother, after such a walk. Susan Louisa is doin' pretty well; she's a sight improved from what she was. Folks is very considerate to Susan Louisa. She goes to the Orthodox church, an' sence she was sick there's been a committee to see to her. They met, fifteen in number. One on 'em give her two quarts o' milk a day. Mr. Dean, Susan Louisa's husband, died the eighth day o' last March.
gpt
Yes, I heard he was gone, rather sudden,
human
Yes, but he was 'twixt eighty an' ninety year old. Susan Louisa was but fifty-one in February last.
gpt
He'd have done better for you, wouldn't he, Mis' Norris?
human
I had rather be excused, said Polly at last, with great emphasis.
gpt
Miss Maria Durrant, ain't you got a calico dress you could spare, or an apron, or a pair o' rubbers, anyways? I be extra needy, now, I tell you! There; I ain't inquired for William's folks; how be they?
human
All smart,
gpt
Mis' William don't come here, I expect?
human
She never was no great of a visitor. Yes, she comes sometimes,
gpt
I understood William had forbid her till you'd got away, if she was your own cousin.
human
We're havin' no trouble together. What do you mean?
gpt
Well, my hearing ain't good. Polly tried to get herself into safe shelter of generalities.
human
Old folks kind o' dreams things; you must excuse me, Maria. But I certain have heard a sight o' talk about your stoppin' here so long with Mr. Haydon, and that William thought you was overdoin', an' would have spoke, only you was his wife's cousin. There's plenty stands up for you; I should always be one of 'em my self; you needn't think but I'm a friend, Maria. I heard somebody a-remarking that you was goin' to stay till you got him; an' others said Mr. Israel Haydon was one to know his own mind, and he never would want to put nobody in his wife's place, they set so by one another. An' I spoke a good word for ye. I says, 'Now look here! 't ain't 's if Mari' Durrant was a girl o' twenty-five; she's a smart capable creatur',' says I, 'an''
gpt
I guess I've got an old dress I can let you have.