human
said Mrs. Smithers, hoarsely,
gpt
Before who died?
human
Your uncle, whispered Mrs. Smithers, her eyes still fixed upon Claudius Tiberius.
gpt
Nonsense! cried Dorothy, trying to be severe.
human
If he killed the cat, it couldn't come back--you must know that.
gpt
I don't know w'y not, Miss. Anyhow, 'e killed the cat, that's wot 'e did, and I saw 'is dead body, and even buried 'im, on account of your uncle not bein' able to abide cats, and 'ere 'e is. Somebody 's dug 'im up, and 'e 's come to life again, thinkin' to 'aunt your uncle, and your uncle 'as follered 'im, that's wot 'e 'as, and there bein' nobody 'ere to 'aunt but us, 'e's a 'auntin' us and a-doin' it 'ard.
human
Mrs. Smithers, said Dorothy, rising,
gpt
I desire to hear no more of this nonsense. The cat happens to be somewhat similar to the dead one, that's all.
human
Begging your parding, Miss, for askin', but did you bring that there cat with you from the city?
gpt
I knowed it, muttered Mrs. Smithers, gloomily, to herself.
human
Harlan, said Dorothy, half-way between smiles and tears,
gpt
Who's come? he asked.
human
From your tone, it might be Mrs. Satan, or somebody else from the infernal regions.
gpt
You're not far out of the way, rejoined Dorothy.
human
It's Sa--Mrs. Smithers.
gpt
Oh, our maid of all work?
human
I don't know what she's made of, giggled Dorothy, hysterically.
gpt
She looks like a tombstone dressed in deep mourning, and carries with her the atmosphere of a graveyard. We have to call her 'Mrs. Smithers,' if we don't want her to call us by our first names, and she has two dollars a week. She says Claudius is a cat that uncle killed the week before he died, and she thinks you hit me and gave me this bruise on my cheek.
human
The old lizard, said Harlan, indignantly.
gpt
She sha'n't stay!
human
Now don't be cross, interrupted Dorothy.
gpt
It's all in the family, for your uncle hit me, as you well know. Besides, we can't expect all the virtues for two dollars a week and I'm tired almost to death from trying to do the housework in this big house and take care of the chickens, too. We'll get on with her as best we can until we see a chance to do better.
human
Wise little woman, responded Harlan, admiringly.
gpt
Can she milk the cow?
human
I don't know--I'll go in and ask her.
gpt
Excuse me, Miss, began Mrs. Smithers, before Dorothy had a chance to speak,
human
Which rooms were they?
gpt
These 'ere, back of the kitchen. My own settin' room and bedroom and kitchen and pantry and my own private door outside. Your uncle was allers a great hand for bein' private and insistin' on other folks keepin' private, that 's wot 'e was, but God rest 'is soul, it didn't do the poor old gent much good.
human
Certainly, said Dorothy,
gpt
I ain't never 'ad it put on me, Miss, she said, with the air of a martyr trying to make himself comfortable up against the stake,
human
We have breakfast about half-past seven, went on Dorothy, quickly;
gpt
Wot at six?
human
Dinner! Dinner at six.
gpt
Lord preserve us, said Mrs. Smithers, half to herself.
human
Your uncle allers 'ad 'is dinner at one o'clock, sharp, and 'e wouldn't like it to 'ave such scandalous goin's on in 'is own 'ouse.
gpt
You're working for me, Dorothy reminded her sharply,
human
I'm not so sure as you, she said.
gpt
On account of the cat 'avin come back from 'is grave, it wouldn't surprise me none to see your uncle settin' 'ere at any time in 'is shroud, and a-askin' to 'ave mush and milk for 'is supper, the which 'e was so powerful fond of that I was more 'n 'alf minded at the last minute to put some of it in 's coffin.
human
Mrs. Smithers, said Dorothy, severely,
gpt
I do not want to hear any more about dead people, or resurrected cats, or anything of that nature. What's gone is gone, and there's no use in continually referring to it.
human
You see, Miss? asked Mrs. Smithers, with ill-concealed satisfaction.
gpt
Wot's gone ain't always gone for long, that's wot it ain't.
human
Upon my word, dear, she said to Harlan,
gpt
I don't know how we're going to stand having that woman in the house. She makes me feel as if I were an undertaker, a grave digger, and a cemetery, all rolled into one.
human
You're too imaginative,
gpt
Perhaps, Dorothy admitted,
human
Miss Carr!
gpt
I'm coming, answered Dorothy, submissively, for in the tone there was that which instinctively impels obedience.
human
What is it?
gpt
Nothink. I only wants to know wot it is you're layin' out to 'ave for your--luncheon, if that's wot you call it.
human
Poached eggs on toast, last night's cold potatoes warmed over, hot biscuits, jam, and tea.
gpt
You can make biscuits, can't you?
human
I 'ave, responded Mrs. Smithers, dryly.
gpt
Begging your parding, Miss, but is that there feller sawin' wood out by the chicken coop your 'usband?
human
The gentleman in the yard, said Dorothy, icily,
gpt
Be n't you married to 'im? cried Mrs. Smithers, dropping a fork.
human
I understood as 'ow you was, else I wouldn't 'ave come. I was never one to----
gpt
I most assuredly _am_ married to him,
human
Oh! 'E's the build of my youngest sister's poor dead 'usband; the one wot broke the tea set wot I give 'er over 'er poor 'ed. 'E can 'it powerful 'ard, can't 'e?