human
So you have been driven to come this way at last; have you been so daintily reared that you cannot wade a burn which has scarcely depth enough to cover the pebbles in its channel. Look you, she added, raising her arm, and pointing her finger,--
gpt
Do you mind me? said the gipsy;
human
I have known you long, aye very long. You were very small when I brought you to this place. I did well for you then. Are you grateful?
gpt
Ah! said the gipsy, whilst a smile of scorn distorted her lip,--
human
Indeed, indeed, I would! exclaimed Tamar, all flushed and trembling.
gpt
Oh, in pity, in mercy tell me who I am and who are my parents?--if they still live; if I have any chance or--hope of seeing them?
human
One is no more, replied the gipsy.
gpt
She from whom I took you lies in the earth on Norwood Common. I stretched the corpse myself,--it was a bonny corpse.
human
Does my father live?
gpt
Your father! repeated the gipsy, with a malignant laugh,--
human
Does my father live?
gpt
He does, replied the woman, with a malignant smile,
human
What! said the poor girl, gasping for breath,
gpt
I used no such words, replied the gipsy;
human
Then he has forfeited his liberty, said Tamar;
gpt
What! she said,
human
she said,
gpt
He will, replied Tamar;
human
Your father branded you, she answered,
gpt
she added,
human
Stay, stay, said Tamar, seizing her arm,
gpt
Oh, tell me more! tell me more! My father, if I have a living father, I owe him a duty,--where is he? Tell me where he is, for the love of heaven tell me?
human
Go, fool, she said,
gpt
she added, in her turn seizing Tamar's arm,--
human
No! no!