human
Reuben--could Benjamin by chance have overindulged in liquor?
gpt
I doubt it, sir. Last Monday he did and so did I, but away from home I believe Ben would be careful.
human
You do reassure me somewhat.
gpt
Mind a puddle here! Och--too bad! Best go about, gentlemen!
human
Still warm, said Rob, kneeling, running a hand down the miserable neck, in pity or perhaps only regret at the waste of something useful.
gpt
Not of Roxbury, he said.
human
Know every-each nag in the village. A chapman's likely, some louse-eaten chapman bound he'd drag the last half-mile out of the poor old fart. Shit, look at them ribs! A'n't had a fair meal in months.
gpt
Reuben! What ails thee, boy?
human
Nothing,
gpt
Well --Rob Grimes was ignoring the commotion--
human
Let me be! said Reuben, wincing at the sympathy of Mr. Hibbs' arm.
gpt
I can't help it. It's the blood, that's all.
human
So? Why, only the other day you cut your hand, and bound it up yourself, no-way troubled.
gpt
That was my blood.
human
Mm. But----
gpt
Let me be! _Will_ you go on, Rob?
human
Sometimes, said Mr. Hibbs gently,
gpt
I imagine I can sense it, when you have fallen to thinking of Deerfield.
human
I try not to think of it overmuch.
gpt
That's best of course. Mr. Hibbs sighed, as one whose overture of kindness has been rejected, and Reuben was ashamed.
human
As you know, I call myself a Seeker, the name I borrow from Mr. Roger Williams whose memory I revere; many would not even call me a good Christian. But I would venture to suggest, Reuben, that God is with you, his ways past finding out.
gpt
You are very kind, sir.