human
Dear me, Uncle Josiah! she exclaimed.
gpt
You look so like a terrible old storm-cloud! And those awful eyes! Where on earth did you get them?
human
Cal'late I feel a heap sight worse than I look, Beth. That set of females----
gpt
But your black eyes! she interrupted.
human
Who made them like that? Has some one been fighting you?
gpt
A feller handed 'em out to me last night, and I didn't happen to be in a position to refuse 'em,
human
Who dared strike you like that!
gpt
Now, don't you worry, Beth. It ain't as bad as it looks. You see, I was on my way over from the station last night from the late city train. When I got to the top of the hill I sot down for a spell, and while I was thinking, I looked down on my place. I see a light in the pantry window flicker up, die down, and then settle into a steady glow. I cal'lated it must be pirates aboard the old craft, so I tore down the hill like blazes and busted into the house. Something struck me like a ton of brick, and I went down. I never see so many stars in all my life. The next thing I heard was a voice asking if I was hurt, and saying, 'You'll pardon me, sir.' He chuckled with his first sign of mirth.
human
When I got my senses back there was a big feller sitting on me, nearly choking off my wind. He brung out one of them lightning-bug flashlights and turned it full on me, and then shouted like a maniac, 'Why, it's Cap'n Pott!' 'That's me, but who in hell be you?' I'm telling you just as I said it. He told me his name was Mack McGowan. Well, I was real glad to see him till he told me he was the new preacher and was going to live with me. Eadie Beaver had put him up in my house a week ago. I was mad as hops when he told me that, and I was going to throw him out, but, --again he chuckled,--
gpt
You thought caution was the better part of valor, is that it?
human
Something like that, Beth. I cal'late we'd best say nothing to a soul about this. There'd be some who wouldn't understand the details of the transaction. It was sort of confidential, as you might say, and there'd be them who'd blame Mr. McGowan for what he wa'n't exactly responsible for.
gpt
Oh! Can't I tell it? It's really too good to keep. And then, she added seriously,
human
Mighty little any of them would care how I got my shine. But I cal'late it would be best for the parson if we'd keep it quiet.
gpt
Very well, Uncle Josiah. He is really going to live with you, isn't he?
human
Don't that look like it?
gpt
But that is for you, too.
human
For me? You'd see that set of females getting down on their prayer-bones for an old sinner like me, except to ask God A'mighty to strike me dead. I ain't that popular, not yet.
gpt
Captain Pott, I don't like that one bit! I canceled all my engagements in the city when Father told me the other day what the ladies of the church were planning to do for you. I did it just to help you, and now----
human
There, there, Beth. The old man reached out and touched her arm.
gpt
Excuse me, Beth. I feel like a cantankerous old sore-headed bear this morning. Of course, you come home to help me. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.
human
They mean well, too,
gpt
It was awful nice of you, he replied, ignoring her reference to those at work in the house.
human
It's worth it to put up with that whole pack inside just to have you come.
gpt
There, now, I have my good old Uncle back again. She had always called him Uncle.
human
But tell me, why do you feel so badly?
gpt
About them in there?
human
No-o. I think I can understand your feelings about them. I feel the same way sometimes. If I were the minister it would take all of my religion during the week so I'd have nothing to preach on Sunday. But, there! Father must never hear of my saying that.
gpt
He ain't likely to hear it from me.
human
Have you quarreled with Father again?