human
Take these to your mother, will you? She'll want them soon if we're going to have them for supper.
gpt
They look downright good. It's a long while since I've had time to get any for myself.
human
Maybe you'll stay and help us eat these? Joe invited.
gpt
There's plenty.
human
I might just do that. Sorry about the cow. She stepped in a chuck hole and broke a front leg. There just wasn't anything else to do.
gpt
I know. Thanks for taking care of it, Pete.
human
Emma said to sell the beef to Les.
gpt
Yeah, and I reckon she's right. Nobody here would eat it.
human
Les gave me twenty-three dollars and seventy cents, cash money. I gave it all to Emma.
gpt
You should have kept something for your trouble.
human
It wasn't any trouble. Emma says you're going to Oregon?
gpt
That's right, Pete. We are.
human
I don't know but what it would be a good move for anybody. Yes, I'm sure it would be.
gpt
Why don't you come along?
human
I probably would, if I was fifteen years younger. But I'm pushing fifty, and I've chased a lot of will-o'-the-wisps in my day. Guess I'm getting chicken-hearted.
gpt
Oregon's no will-o'-the-wisp.
human
I know, but by the time a man gets to be my age he thinks everything is. I stick to what I know, and I can't make out any place unless I think so. I don't think I'd make out in Oregon. Want to sell me your standing hay?
gpt
I'll give it to you.
human
Don't be so open-hearted; you're going to Oregon and you'll need money. Besides, I winter a lot of stock and hay's worth money to me. Would twenty-five dollars be right?
gpt
Right enough with me.
human
Good. I'll cut the hay when it's ready for cutting. I swear, Joe, you look like a kid again.
gpt
I almost feel like one, Pete. Doggone, it's not that I don't like Missouri. It's just that I sort of felt myself batting my head against a brick wall here, and now we're going to Oregon.
human
The world would be just as well off if all men hit down a new road when the old one ends blind. Only most of us lack the courage to get off paths we know. Especially when we're older. I envy you.
gpt
Don't be so darn philosophical, Pete. Come on. Let's go in and wait for something to eat.