human
GYPSY
gpt
How did ye like the prayer-meetin'? asked Uncle Terry the next morning, as Albert stood watching him getting ready to start on his daily rounds.
human
Did the Widder Leach make ye feel ye was a hopeless sinner?
gpt
It was an interesting experience, replied Albert,
human
Oh, it don't do 'em no harm to git together an' pray an' sing, an' most likely it divarts their minds from other troubles, but in my way o' thinkin', prayin' is a good deal like a feller tryin' to lift himself by his boot-straps. It encourages him some, but he don't git much further. Then, as if a load was on his mind, he added,
gpt
You haven't thought o' no way ter git me out o' my scrape, hev ye?
human
I have thought a good deal about it, replied Albert,
gpt
I can't thank ye 'nough for yer offer to help me, but I kin say how sorry I am I distrusted ye at fust, and as long as I've a roof to cover my head, ye'r' sure to find a welcome under it, an' the latch-string allus out.
human
I thank you for your kindly words, Mr. Terry, responded Albert,
gpt
Ye won't go till I see ye again, will ye?
human
No, was the answer.
gpt
If the 'Gypsy' shows up to-day we will stay in the harbor to-night, and I should like to have you and Miss Telly visit her. Then as the old man pushed off and pulled out of the cove with long slow strokes, Albert watched him with a new interest.
human
Poor old fellow, he thought,
gpt
When the old man was out of sight Albert strolled over to the village. On the outer side of the harbor, and opposite where the houses were, he came to some long rows of slat benches, and busy at work spreading split fish upon them was the old lady who had thanked the Lord so fervently at the prayer-meeting. As she noticed Albert she paused and stood looking at him curiously.
human
Good morning, madam, he said as he neared her;
gpt
Yes, sir; the Lord's bin good to me this summer, she answered, still eyeing him, and added quickly,
human
I hope I have some chance of being saved at last, he replied,
gpt
Looks be mainly deceivin', she answered,
human
You have a large lot of fish to care for, I see, he replied, not wishing to discuss religion with this odd old lady,
gpt
I need it, for the winter's comin' an' then there's no work for me, she answered sadly, resuming her labor,
human
I'm counted as one o' the Lord's poor then.
gpt
If you are one of the Lord's poor of this village, he thought,
human
Then going to her and taking a ten-dollar bill out of his pocket he said kindly,
gpt
Miss Terry told me a little about you, Mrs. Leach, and for her sake I'm going to ask you to do me a favor. Here is a little money, and please accept it as coming from the Lord.
human
Your heart's in the right place and the Lord'll surely bless ye for yer goodness,