human
He says Ida Bellethorne is sharpened,
gpt
Oh! You mean she is fixed to travel on ice on frozen ground?
human
I 'ad to lead 'er up 'ere from the station, Miss. Ain't I saw you before, Miss? said Hunchie, staring at Betty.
gpt
At Mr. Bolter's?
human
Yes, yes! cried Betty.
gpt
Can the mare travel on this hard snow?
human
Yes, ma'am. I didn't draw the calks for I exercised 'er each d'y, I did. I didn't want 'er to fall. An' now I failed myself!
gpt
That's just it, Betty, said the English girl, almost in tears.
human
I never learned to ride. I never did ride. My nurse was afraid to let me learn when I was little, and although I love horses, I only know how to drive them. It's like a sailor never having learned to swim.
gpt
Never mind! Never mind! she cried.
human
I can ride. I can ride any horse. I am not afraid of your Ida Bellethorne. And none of the boys or men is here. I'll go for the doctor.
gpt
I don't know if it is best for you to,
human
Call Mrs. Candace.
gpt
What is this I hear? she demanded.
human
I couldn't let you ride that horse. You will be thrown or something.
gpt
No I shan't, Mrs. Candace. I can ride. And Hunchie says the mare is sharpened.
human
So she is. I had forgotten,
gpt
And the poor fellow suffers so. Some lasting harm may be done if we don't get a surgeon quickly. Where does Dr. Pevy live?