human
I'm mighty sorry I went,
gpt
Why?
human
Oh, well--I don't know exactly. I thought I would find everybody just like they were before they went away, but the one I saw looked like a drove of mules had trompled on him. He didn't have on any coat, and his shirt was torn and dirty, and his face looked like he had been sick a month. His eyes were hollow, and had black circles around them.
gpt
Did he say anything?
human
Yes, he said, 'Brace up, old man.'
gpt
Was that all?
human
And then he asked if anybody had sent him any word, and I said, 'Nobody but Mr. Sanders'; and then he said, 'I might have known that he wouldn't forget me.'
gpt
Was he angry with any one?
human
Why, when did anybody ever hear of his being angry with any one he thought was a friend? exclaimed Cephas scornfully. Nan writhed at this, and Cephas went on.
gpt
He had been tied up by the wrists, and then he had been put in a sweat-box, and nearly roasted--yes, by grabs! pretty nigh cooked.
human
Why, you didn't tell his grandmother that,
gpt
Well, I should say not! exclaimed Cephas.
human
What do you take me for? Do you reckon I'd tell that to anybody that cared anything for him? Why, I wouldn't tell his grandmother that for anything in the world, and if she was to ask me about it, I'd deny it.
gpt
I think you are simply awful, she gasped.
human
You are cruel, and you are unkind. You know very well that I care something for Gabriel. Haven't we been friends since we were children together? Do you suppose I have no feelings?
gpt
I know what you said when I told you I was going to see Gabriel.
human
What was that?
gpt
Why, you said, 'Well, what is that to me?'