human
Had I the wings of a dove, I would fly Just for to-night to the Old Country.
gpt
It's nine years since I've seen it, but I can't get those lines out of my head. Perhaps it's because of the girl who sang them. Somehow, I felt sorry for her. She had remarkably fine eyes.
human
Sea-blue, suggested his companion.
gpt
I don't grasp the connection between the last two remarks.
human
Neither do I, admitted Vane.
gpt
I suppose there isn't one. But they weren't sea-blue; unless you mean the depth of indigo when you are out of soundings. They're Irish eyes.
human
You're not Irish. There's not a trace of the Celt in you, except, perhaps, your habit of getting indignant with the people who don't share your views.
gpt
No, sir! By birth, I'm North Country--England, I mean. Over there we're descendants of the Saxons, Scandinavians, Danes--Teutonic stock at bottom, anyhow; and we've inherited their unromantic virtues. We're solid, and cautious, respectable before everything, and smart at getting hold of anything worth having. As a matter of fact, you Ontario Scotsmen are mighty like us.
human
You certainly came out well ahead of those city men who put up the money, agreed Carroll.
gpt
I guess it's in the blood; though I fancied once or twice that they would take the mine from you.
human
Just for to-night to the Old Country,--
gpt
It sticks to one.
human
What made you leave the Old Country? I don't think you ever told me.
gpt
That's a blamed injudicious question to ask anybody, as you ought to know; but in this particular instance you shall have an answer. There was a row at home--I was a sentimentalist then, and just eighteen--and as a result of it I came out to Canada. His voice changed and grew softer.
human
I hadn't many relatives, and, except one sister, they're all gone now. That reminds me--she's not going to lecture for the county education authorities any longer.
gpt
Supper will be finished at the hotel, he remarked.
human
You had better get the stove lighted. It's your turn, and that rascally Siwash seems to have gone off again. If he's not back when we're ready, we'll sail without him.