human
You were here when we went by?
gpt
Yes, said Hetty.
human
We heard you quite distinctly, too, and that suggests a question. What was it Reggie Ferris did?
gpt
Stormed a big rebel stockade with only a few half-drilled natives to help him. If you haven't read it already I can give you a paper with an account of the affair.
human
That, said Hetty,
gpt
I scarcely think it would do you very much good to know, he said.
human
The thing wasn't a nice one, but there was good stuff in the lad, who, it was evident to me, at least, had been considerably more of a fool than a rogue, and all I did was to persuade the Colonel, who meant to break him, to give him another chance. It seems I was wise. Reggie Ferris has had his lesson, and has from all accounts retrieved his credit in the Colonial service.
gpt
If I remember correctly you once made a bad mistake in being equally considerate to another man,
human
I certainly did, but you will find by the time you are as old as I am that taking it all round it is better to be merciful.
gpt
The Major, said Hetty, with a glance at Barbara,
human
Well, he said,
gpt
He has applied the suggestive epithet to her ever since she gave him up, said Hetty.
human
Still, I really don't think anybody could have expected very much more from her.
gpt
No, said the Major, grimly.
human
In my opinion she went further than there was any particular necessity for her to do. She knew the man's shortcomings when she was engaged to him--and she should have stuck to him. You don't condemn any one for a single slip in your country, Miss Heathcote?
gpt
You couldn't expect her to admit that their standard in Canada is lower than ours,
human
That is not exactly what I mean. They have a little more charity yonder, and, in some respects, a good deal more sense. From one or two cases I am acquainted with they are, in fact, usually willing to give the man who trips another chance instead of falling upon him mercilessly before he can get up.
gpt
Still you haven't told us yet what Reggie Ferris did.
human
I am, he said,
gpt
The Major has not infrequently been imposed upon, but nothing will disabuse him of his cheerful belief in human nature, and I must admit that he is quite as often right as more censorious people. There was Lily Harland who gave Reggie Ferris up, which, of course, was probably only what he could have expected under the circumstances, but Reggie, it appears, is wiping out the past, and I have reasons for surmising that she has been sorry ever since. Nobody but my father and his mother ever hear from him now, and if that hurts Lily she has only herself to blame. She had her opportunity of showing what faith she had in the man, and can't expect to get another just because she would like it.