human
Good morning, Mr. McGowan, greeted Miss Pipkin, cheerily.
gpt
Are you all right this morning?
human
Yes, thank you, Miss Pipkin.
gpt
I was afraid you'd be sick after last night. I didn't sleep none, I was that excited when I got home. I've always been used to quiet meetings, and that last night after you left was a disgrace. But you wasn't to blame, no siree!
human
I am not so sure that you would find very many to agree with you.
gpt
Lan' sakes! How you do talk, Mr. McGowan! Don't you think I know what it's all about? I ain't blind, and what I couldn't see through, Josiah helped me with last night. You've got him to thank that they didn't vote you out of your position.
human
Miss Pipkin, do you mean that the Captain spoke up in meeting?
gpt
Well, he didn't exactly talk, but he stopped others from talking, and that's about the same thing.
human
How?
gpt
He kind of made me promise not to tell a soul, but I don't think he meant you. Anyhow, you should know. You see, he was setting by a window, and some of the boys from your club was on the outside, waiting. He h'isted the window a little so's to get his hand through. Hank Simpson and some others was at the fire-house, and when Josiah give them beneath the window some sort of signal, they all shouted '_Fire_.' That was the sign for others scattered round town, and they begun to shout, too. Then, those at the fire-house got the cart out and rung the bells. It was real funny, but don't tell Josiah I said so, because he was all puffed up last night. He gave his signal just as Mr. Beaver got up to make a motion to have you put out. Things was pretty strong against you after Reverend Mr. Means spoke.
human
Mr. Means!
gpt
Um-hm. He was there as big as life and sad as Job. He talked so tearful-like that everybody was upset, but they didn't get to take a vote, and that was a good thing, for there were some there that would have voted against you, being so worked up, who wouldn't think of it in their right senses. Mr. McGowan, them boys down to the Inn ain't going to let you go from the town if they can keep you here. Them boys with Josiah got up that fire scare last night.
human
But it was more than a scare, I saw the fire.
gpt
Course you did. 'Twas old Dan Trelaw's hen-house that was burned down. The mites was bothering him, and he wanted the insurance to build a better one.
human
He burned his hen-house to collect insurance?
gpt
That's what Josiah said.
human
That's absurd. There isn't an insurance company in Suffolk County that would write a policy on such junk, and if they did he could never collect a cent if it is known he burned it on purpose.
gpt
Josiah said it wasn't a regular company, just local. I guess he'll get his money, all right. Are you ready for your breakfast?
human
Do you mean----
gpt
I ain't saying right out just what I mean, she broke in as she paused on the kitchen threshold.
human
If you're real bright on guessing, you'll be able to figure that out for yourself. The thing that's most interesting to me is that the Lord is wonderful in the performing of all His works, and we ain't to question how He brings 'em to pass. I wasn't much in favor of the way Josiah done last night when he first told me, but the more I think about it, the more it seems all right to me. It didn't seem dignified and nice to break up even a bad meeting that way, but what else was he to do? You've got to stay here, that's plain, and if He ain't got saints enough to keep you He'll use the heathen.... Go right in and set down.
gpt
I'm not sure that it will bring Providence or any one else much glory if I stay here,