human
Sit down, mother,
gpt
No; I am not going to stop a minute. I am going back to her. She seemed real quiet, and I think she'll go to sleep, but if she should wake up and find herself alone she might be frightened.
human
Yes, she might; she has had a terrible shock,
gpt
Terrible shock! I should think she had, poor child!
human
It was a long way for her to come alone,
gpt
I should think it was. It's a good mile, and that wasn't the worst of it. Worrying about her father, and all alone in the house! I was always scared to death alone in a house, and I know what it means.
human
She must have been frightened.
gpt
I should rather think she would have been. Suddenly his mother's face regarding his took on a different expression; it became shrewd and confidential.
human
Do you suppose her father has taken this way of--?
gpt
No,
human
You don't?
gpt
No, I do not. I don't know the man very well, and I don't suppose his record is to be altogether justified, but, if I know anything, he would no more go voluntarily and leave that child alone all night to worry over him than I would.
human
Then you think something has happened to him?
gpt
I am afraid so.
human
Do you think there has been an accident?
gpt
I don't know, mother.
human
Do you suppose he has got into any trouble?
gpt
I don't know, mother.
human
Well, I don't care if there has, said she. She whispered, but her voice was intense.
gpt
I don't care if there has. I don't care if he is in state-prison. That child has got to caring about you, and you ought to--