human
Why no, Mrs. MacLeod, said my husband, after another significant glance at his friend,
gpt
I dare say you've not got many who can make enough to keep a carriage?
human
Truth enough, sir, said my father.
gpt
We've got hundreds and tons that can make debts though.
human
Friends all, he said,
gpt
In this weather?
human
Chut! A puff of wind and a slant of rain, as I've been saying to my gel here. But my son-in-law, Lord Raa, (loud cheers followed this description, with some laughter and much hammering on the table),
gpt
This is the proudest day of my life. It's the day I've worked for and slaved for and saved for, and it's come to pass at last.
human
What's that you were saying in church, Mr. Curphy, sir? Time brings in its revenges? It does too. Look at me.
gpt
You all know what I am, and where I come from.
human
I come from a mud cabin on the Curragh, not a hundred miles from here. My father was kill . . . but never mind about that now. When he left us it was middling hard collar work, I can tell you--what with me working the bit of a croft and the mother weeding for some of you--some of your fathers I mane--ninepence a day dry days, and sixpence all weathers. When I was a lump of a lad I was sworn at in the high road by a gentleman driving in his grand carriage, and the mother was lashed by his . . . but never mind about that neither. I guess I've hustled round considerable since then, and this morning I've married my daughter into the first family in the island.
gpt
Monsignor, cried my father, pitching his voice still higher,
human
Truth enough, too. The mills of God grind slowly but they're grinding exceeding small. Nineteen years ago I thought I was as sure of what I wanted as when I got out of bed this morning. If my gel here had been born a boy, my son would have sat where his lordship is now sitting. But all's well that ends well! If I haven't got a son I've got a son-in-law, and when I get a grandson he'll be the richest man that ever stepped into Castle Raa, and the uncrowned king of Ellan.
gpt
They're saying a dale nowadays about fathers and children--daughters being separate beings, and all to that. But show me the daughter that could do better for herself than my gel's father has done for her. She has a big fortune, and her husband has a big name, and what more do they want in this world anyway?
human
Nothing at all,
gpt
Neighbours, said my father, looking round him with a satisfied smile,
human
I'm laying you dry as herrings in a hould, but before I call on you to drink this toast I'll ask the Bishop to spake to you. He's a grand man is the Bishop, and in fixing up this marriage I don't in the world know what I could have done without him.