human
Do you reckon anybody is listenin'?
gpt
I think not,--in fact, I am sure we are quite alone.
human
Well, this is somethin' I don't keer to have the shurreff know, or anybody else, Mr. Gwynne. Hit's about Mr. Lapelle.
gpt
Yes?
human
Mrs. Gwyn she tole me this mornin' that whatever I said to my lawyer would be sacred an' wouldn't ever be let out to anybody, no matter whut it wuz. She said it wuz ag'inst the code er somethin'. Wuz she right?
gpt
In a sense, yes. Of course, you must understand, Moll, that no honest lawyer will obligate himself to shield a criminal or a fugitive from justice, or--I may as well say to you now that if you expect that of me I must warn you not to tell me anything. You would force me to withdraw as your counsel. For, you see, Moll, I am an honest lawyer.
human
Why, Pap,--Pap he sez there ain't no setch thing as a honest lawyer. An embarrassed little smile twisted her lips.
gpt
I guess that must ha' been one of Pap's lies.
human
It is possible he may never have come in contact with one,
gpt
Well, I guess ef you're a honest lawyer, she said, knitting her brows,
human
I'd better keep my mouth shut. I wuz only thinkin' mebby you could see your way to do somethin' I wuz goin' to ask. I jest wanted to git some word to Mr. Lapelle.
gpt
Mr. Lapelle and I are not friends, Moll.
human
Is it beca'se of whut I asked Ike Stain to tell ye?
gpt
Partly.
human
I mean about stealin' Miss Violy Gwyn an' takin' her away with him?
gpt
I want to thank you, Moll, for sending me the warning. It was splendid of you.
human
Oh, I didn't do it beca'se--
gpt
I understand. You--you like him yourself.
human
Well,--whut ef I do? she burst out.
gpt
Hit's my look-out, ain't it?
human
Certainly. I am not blaming you.
gpt
I guess there ain't no use talkin' any more, she said flatly.
human
You wouldn't do whut I want ye to do anyhow, so what's the sense of askin' you. We better go back to the kitchen.
gpt
It may console you to hear that I have already told Mr. Lapelle that he must get out of this town before to-morrow morning, said he deliberately.
human
And stay out!
gpt
You tole him to git away to-night? she half-whispered, eagerly.
human
I thought you said you wuzn't a friend o' his'n.
gpt
That is what I said.
human
Then, whut did you warn him to git away fer?
gpt
I did it on account of Miss Gwyn, Moll,
human
Do you think he'll go?
gpt
That remains to be seen. Then he hazarded:
human
I think he will when he finds out that your father has been arrested.