human
The service was delightful this morning, she observed;
gpt
I ought to, my lady. I am Firmingham bred and born.
human
And a very good representative of the place, said Leah, kindly.
gpt
The villagers are really quite nice-looking--especially the men.
human
If you saw my son----
gpt
Was he in church this morning? asked Lady Jim, who knew very well that the young man was with his ship in Chinese waters.
human
I saw rather a handsome young fellow in one of the pews, but he looked ill. Of course, I thought him handsome, she went on carelessly, and with a soft laugh:
gpt
There is only one young man hereabouts who resembles Lord James, she observed,
human
Oh! Leah's eyes opened.
gpt
Do you mean to say----?
human
Nothing, my lady--nothing ; and Mrs. Arthur's hands fiddled nervously with the gold chain she wore round her neck. Then, woman-like, she went on to contradict herself.
gpt
Harold Garth has lately returned from Canada, where he went to farm.
human
Garth? I seem to know the name!
gpt
I don't know who can have mentioned it to you, my lady. He is the only Garth in the district, and I daresay you never saw him before.
human
Well, no; I must admit that I never have. Why?
gpt
Canada, explained Mrs. Arthur, vaguely.
human
He has been there for the last twenty years. He went out to make money, at the age of fifteen.
gpt
And has apparently returned with consumption.
human
Yes, poor lad; but the Duke is very kind to him.
gpt
Oh, the Duke is very kind to him, is he? That's so like the Duke. Always thoughtful. Fifteen and twenty--he is about thirty-five.
human
More or less, my lady.
gpt
My husband's age, said Lady Jim, pointedly.
human
Yes, my lady,
gpt
Why doesn't this young man's family keep him instead of letting the Duke support him?
human
Harold Garth has no family, my lady. His mother is dead.
gpt
And his father?
human
I know nothing about his father, she said in low tones.
gpt
Harold is a lonely man, poor soul. He lives at the Pentland Arms, and Mrs. Kibby, the landlady, is as kind to him as though he were her own son. And his Grace--bless him--does all he can to smooth Harold's way to the grave. He sent that foreign doctor to----
human
Demetrius, said Lady Jim, quickly.
gpt
Oh, so Demetrius knows him?
human
Yes, my lady. He thinks he can cure him of this consumption. I do not think so myself proceeded Mrs. Arthur, garrulously,
gpt
What a deep interest the Duke takes in this man!
human
And that is why he is so like Jim, she thought, rising to go.
gpt
I hope the poor fellow will get well, she said aloud;
human
I don't think he minds if he is dead or alive, my lady. He has no friends.
gpt
Oh yes, the Duke----
human
Certainly his Grace, who is a friend to all,