human
I be thinking o' keeping away from church next Sunday.
gpt
Mother--!
human
What be you callin' me?
gpt
I called you 'Mother.' Do you mind?
human
No, no; but I bain't worthy to be your mother. If Master Lionel be taken, Alferd'll go, too. I can't bring myself to look at my lady. I can't look Pa'son square i' the face, neither. I reads the Bible, Fancy, and the holy words do seem to mock me. I ain't been near those two pore souls as ha' lost their boys. For why? I ain't got no comfort for 'em.
gpt
If you keep away from church, others will pass remarks.
human
As if I keered about that!
gpt
Wouldn't you care if I stayed away, just because you did?
human
Maybe. Anyways, I'll go next Sunday; But, child, it be sinful to sit in God's House wi' such a soul as mine.
gpt
Your _soul_ is right. You mind what Mr. Hamlin said about that? George Mucklow won his Cross because our souls are always right.
human
Souls may take a notion to leave us for a spell. My soul seems to have flown out o' winder, as it did when Lizzie died.
gpt
But it came back.
human
Yes; that be true; it came back. Forgi' me, child, for shovin' my wickedness on your lil' shoulders.
gpt
Dear Mother, you must talk to somebody.
human
When I be alone, evenings, I talks to Solly.
gpt
Well, I never!
human
And he understands me, yas, he do. He be very human, and a gert sinner.
gpt
Solly--a sinner?
human
Ay. He be a black murderer. He killed a cat day afore yesterday, and come back to me, all over scratches, and wi' a look as if--as if he'd been churched.
gpt
What a naughty hypocrite! I wish he hadn't killed the poor cat.
human
Where is the naughty dog?
gpt
Ah-h-h! He be courtin' some four-legged hussy. I knows 'un. Last night he come in after bed-time, so pleased as Punch. There be Original Sin in animals, as ther be in us. And feeling as I does, 'tis easy to forgive Solly his trespasses. Now you knows nearly everything.