human
I pay handsomely, and I need a clever wench to care for me, insisted Claudia;
gpt
I am servant to Douw Fonda, repeated the girl.
human
It would not be kind in me to leave him who offers to adopt me. Nor is it decent to abandon him in times like these.
gpt
My brother, Stephen, has spoken of you. I understood him to say that you are the daughter of a Scottish minister. Is this true?
human
Yes, my lady.
gpt
Then you are no servant wench.
human
I serve.
gpt
Why?
human
My parents are dead. I must earn my bread.
gpt
Oh. You have no means to maintain you?
human
None, madam.
gpt
How long have you been left an orphan?
human
These three years, my lady.
gpt
You came from Scotland?
human
From France, my lady.
gpt
How so?
human
My father preached to the exiled Scots who live in Paris. When he was dying, I promised to take ship and come to America, because, he said, only in America is a young girl safe from men.
gpt
Safe?
human
Yes, madam.
gpt
Safe from what, child?
human
From the unlawful machinations of designing men, madam. My father told me that men hunt women as a sport.
gpt
Oh, la! cried Claudia, laughing;
human
And what did you then, Penelope Grant?