human
And I think you will be as little fitted for the rudas men as for the pretty ladies, after all! says she, when I had done.
gpt
But what was your father that he could not learn you to draw the sword? It is most ungentle; I have not heard the match of that in anyone.
human
It is most misconvenient at least, said I;
gpt
Do you know what makes me smile? said she.
human
Well, it is this. I am made this way, that I should have been a man child. In my own thoughts it is so I am always; and I go on telling myself about this thing that is to befall and that. Then it comes to the place of the fighting, and it comes over me that I am only a girl at all events, and cannot hold a sword or give one good blow; and then I have to twist my story round about, so that the fighting is to stop, and yet me have the best of it, just like you and the lieutenant; and I am the boy that makes the fine speeches all through, like Mr. David Balfour.
gpt
You are a bloodthirsty maid,
human
Well, I know it is good to sew and spin, and to make samplers, she said,
gpt
That I have, as it chances. Two, no less, and me still a lad that should be at the college, said I.
human
But yet, in the look-back, I take no shame for it.
gpt
But how did you feel, then--after it?
human
I know that, too, she cried.
gpt
I feel where these tears should come from. And at any rate, I would not wish to kill, only to be Catherine Douglas that put her arm through the staples of the bolt, where it was broken. That is my chief hero. Would you not love to die so--for your king?
human
Troth, said I,
gpt
Right, she said,
human
Indeed, no, said I,
gpt
Yes, said she,
human
Well, and I think any one would! said I.
gpt
He has his faults like other folk; but he is brave and staunch and kind, God bless him! That will be a strange day when I forget Alan.
human
And where will my head be gone that I have not told my news! she cried, and spoke of a letter from her father, bearing that she might visit him to-morrow in the castle whither he was now transferred, and that his affairs were mending.
gpt
You do not like to hear it, said she.
human
Will you judge my father and not know him?
gpt
I am a thousand miles from judging, I replied.
human
And I give you my word I do rejoice to know your heart is lightened. If my face fell at all, as I suppose it must, you will allow this is rather an ill day for compositions, and the people in power extremely ill persons to be compounding with. I have Symon Fraser extremely heavy on my stomach still.
gpt
Ah! she cried,
human
I never heard tell of that,
gpt
It is rather singular how little you are acquainted with, said she.
human
One part may call themselves Grant, and one Macgregor, but they are still of the same clan. They are all the sons of Alpin, from whom, I think, our country has its name.
gpt
What country is that?
human
My country and yours,
gpt
This is my day for discoveries, I think, said I,
human
Scotland is the name of what you call Ireland, she replied.
gpt
But the old ancient true name of this place that we have our foot-soles on, and that our bones are made of, will be Alban. It was Alban they called it when our forefathers will be fighting for it against Rome and Alexander; and it is called so still in your own tongue that you forget.
human
Troth, said I,
gpt
But your fathers and mothers talked it, one generation with another, said she.
human
And it was sung about the cradles before you or me were ever dreamed of; and your name remembers it still. Ah, if you could talk that language you would find me another girl. The heart speaks in that tongue.