human
I thought Elder Wall preached an excellent discourse this morning.
gpt
I wish you'd tell me what's the matter with you, sir, said the troubled son, turning squarely, and with honest kindness in his look.
human
It hurts my feelings, father. If I've put you out, I want to make amends. Marilla's worried to death for fear it's on her account. We both set everything by you, but you hold us off; and I feel, when I try to be company for you, as if you thought I belonged in jail, and hadn't no rights of any kind. Can't you talk right out with me, sir? Ain't you well?
gpt
There! don't run on, boy, said the old man sadly.
human
I do the best I can; you've got to give me time. I'm dreadful hard pushed losin' of your mother. I've lost my home; you ain't got the least idea what it is, William.
gpt
Stand still, there!
human
You ain't going yet? he asked.
gpt
Why, you've only just come.
human
I want you to ride over with me to supper to-night. I want you to see how well that piece o' late corn looks, after all your saying I might's well lay it down to turnips. Come, father; the horse's right here, and 't will make a change for you. Ain't you about got through with them pies aunt Martin left you when she went away? Come; we're goin' to have a hearty supper, and I want ye.
gpt
I don't know but I will, said Israel Haydon slowly.
human
We've got on pretty well--no, we ain't, neither. I ain't comfortable, and I can't make nothin' o' that poor shoat of a boy. I'm buying o' the baker an' frying a pan o' pork the whole time, trying to fill him up. I never was so near out o' pork this time o' year, not since I went to housekeepin'.
gpt
I heard he'd been tellin' round the neighborhood that he was about starved, said William plainly.
human
Our folks always had the name o' being good providers.
gpt
How'd your mother use to wash up the cups an' things to make 'em look decent? asked Mr. Haydon suddenly; there was the humility of broken pride in his tone.
human
I can't seem to find nothin' to do with, anywhere about the house. I s'posed I knew where everything was. I expect I've got out all poor mother's best things, without knowin' the difference. Except there ain't nothin' nowhere that looks right to me,
gpt
You'll have to ask Marilla, he said.
human
It mortifies me to have you go on in such a way. Now, father, you wouldn't hear to anybody that was named to you, but if you go on this way much longer you'll find that any housekeeper's better than none.
gpt
Why, I've only been waiting to hear of a proper person, said Israel Haydon, turning an innocent and aggrieved countenance upon his son.
human
My house is in a terrible state, now I can tell you.
gpt
What do you find to laugh at?
human
Don't you know I spoke of somebody to you? I believe 't was the very day after the funeral, said William persuasively.
gpt
Her name is Maria Durrant.
human
I remember the person well; an excellent, sensible woman, no flummery, and did remarkable well in case of sickness at your house, said Mr. Haydon, with enthusiasm, stepping briskly toward the wagon after he had shut and fastened the wood-house doors and put the padlock key in his pocket.
gpt
What of her? You said there was no chance of getting her, didn't you?
human
I was afraid so; but she's left her brother's folks now, and come to stop a little while with Marilla. She's at the house this minute; came last night. You know, Marilla's very fond of having her cousins come to stop with her, apologized the son, in fear lest his simple plot should be discovered and resented.
gpt
You can see if she's such a person as you want. I have been thinking all day that she might do for a time, anyway.
human
Anybody'll do, said Mr. Haydon suddenly.
gpt
I tell ye, William, I'm drove to the wall. I feel to covet a good supper; an' I'm ashamed to own it, a man o' my property! I'll observe this Miss Durrant, an' speak with her after tea; perhaps she'd have the sense to come right over to-morrow. You an' Marilla can tell her how I've been situated. I wa'n't going to have no such persons in my house as were recommended, he grumbled on cheerfully.
human
I don't keep a town-farm for the incapable, nor do I want an old grenadier set over me like that old maid Smith. I ain't going to be turned out of my own house.