human
D' you turn them calves out into the corral?
gpt
I was goin' to, but the wind's changed into the north, 'n' I thought mebby you wouldn't want 'em out. Jase turned back aimlessly to the door. His voice was getting cracked and husky, and the deprecating note dominated pathetically all that he said.
human
You'll have to face the wind goin' home, he said to Billy Louise.
gpt
More 'n likely you'll be facin' snow, too. Looks bad, off that way.
human
You go on and turn them calves out! Marthy commanded him harshly.
gpt
Billy Louise ain't goin' home if it storms; I sh'd think you'd know enough to know that.
human
Oh, but I'll have to go, anyway, the girl interrupted.
gpt
Mommie can't be there alone; she'd worry herself to death if I didn't show up by dark. She worries about every little thing since daddy died. I ought to have gone before--or I oughtn't to have come. But she was worrying about you, Marthy; she hadn't seen or heard of you for a month, and she was afraid you might be sick or something. Why don't you get someone to stay with you? I think you ought to.
human
If Jase should--get sick, or anything--
gpt
Jase ain't goin' to git sick, Marthy retorted glumly.
human
Yuh don't want to let him worry yuh, Billy Louise. If I'd worried every time he yowled around about being sick, I'd be dead or crazy by now. I dunno but maybe I'll have somebody to help with the work, though, she added, after a pause during which she had swiped the dish-rag around the sides of the pan once or twice, and had opened the door and thrown the water out beyond the doorstep like the sloven she was.
gpt
I got a nephew that wants to come out. He's been in a bank, but he's quit and wants to git on to a ranch. I dunno but I'll have him come, in the spring.
human
Do, urged Billy Louise, perfectly unconscious of the potentialities of the future.
gpt
I hate to think of you two down here alone. I don't suppose anyone ever comes down here, except me--and that isn't often.
human
Nobody's got any call to come down, said Marthy stolidly.
gpt
They sure ain't going to come for our comp'ny and there ain't nothing else to bring 'em.
human
Well, there aren't many to come, you know, laughed Billy Louise, shaking out the dish towel and spreading it over two nails, as she did at home.
gpt
I'm your nearest neighbor, and I've got six miles to ride--against the wind, at that. I think I'd better start. We've got a halfbreed doing chores for us, but he has to be looked after or he neglects things. I'll not get another chance to come very soon, I'm afraid; mommie hates to have me ride around much in the winter. You send for that nephew right away, why don't you, Marthy? It was like Billy Louise to mix command and entreaty together.
human
Really, I don't think Jase looks a bit well.
gpt
A good strong steepin' of sage'll fix him all right, only he ain't sick, as I see. You take this shawl.