human
Woman dear, said Reuben,
gpt
That I have, and I don't understand how a body _can_ be so heedless. I did, I had it in my basket, and then I vow I must've wrapped something in it, maybe a skein, and put it away somewhere, _I_ don't know where--why, my mind's light, light as a whore's promise, I just don't _think_ good.
human
Then we'll draw you a fresh one. A nothing for such scholars as me and my little brother--only, bruit it not abroad that ever I said such a thing. You know, Kate, the sin of vanity in us--sad, sad.
gpt
Which motto was it, Kate?--believe I've lost track.
human
Oh--le' me think, Master Benjamin--'Let peace in this house be everlasting as the sea'--it was real pretty. She wiped an eye and sighed.
gpt
Boys, I was thinking--maybe it's foolish, maybe it a'n't even right I should try such a thing, but I was thinking, what if I was to make that motto something in the _Latin_? He'd favor it so--wouldn't he?
human
The very thing! Reuben exclaimed.
gpt
Hark 'ee: _Omnia vincit amor, et nos cedamus amori._ That's Virgil, Kate.
human
Think of that! That's real Latin, Master Reuben? But--but a'n't it terrible short?
gpt
Oh, Kate!--greatest things said with fewest words.
human
It do sound pretty. What's it mean?
gpt
Love conquereth all things, let us yield to love.
human
You wouldn't play no jape on me, would you?
gpt
Save us! Ben knew his brother was genuinely shocked.
human
Not about the sampler, Kate!
gpt
I know, dear.
human
Only ask Mr. Hibbs whether my translation be right, if you doubt me.
gpt
Nay nay, Reuben, love, I don't at all.... Love conquereth--
human
Love conquereth all things.
gpt
Ah me! She came near, a soft hand on Ben's shoulder, her small sweet mouth like pink petals fallen in bread dough.
human
Ben, boy, you be a little changed. Something happen, Master Benjamin?--maybe Monday?
gpt
Monday? Why, Uncle John's _Artemis_ came home from her maiden voyage that day, and a prettier vessel you never--
human
Oh, bother old _Artemis_! And ha' done with talk of the sea too--ask Mr. John, what's it ever done but make widows, and empty graves in the God's acre?
gpt
The tale goes, it may have been filled by the tears of Chronos who was before all the gods.
human
Ha?--oh, your talk, Master Reuben. But only look at Ben boy there a-blushing! Bound to happen--I knowed it, I knowed it, I know all the signs of what makes the world go 'round, and who should know 'em better? O Ben, oh dearie me, soon you'll be a-moping about with a long face, there'll be a wringin' of hands, you'll go sighing with the springtime in your loins and no living with you at all. Ben dear! Tell Kate. Is she fair, Ben? Is she kind?
gpt
Now, Kate, truly!
human
Why, Ben, not a word! Mumchance. But I know, for a'n't I _alway_ said it was love 't makes the world go 'round? Oh dearie me, they do grow to be men before there's time a spider should build her web over the cradle where they was rocked.
gpt
Can't help it, Kate, the way you stuff Reuben and me with sausage and kindness, we're bound to get big and bad and greasy.
human
Phoo, didn't I marry for love me own self, the more fool me for not listening to wiser heads, however and moreover I don't regret it nor won't to my dying day, though it was a whoreson hard thing to learn the cull was na' but a file, dearie.
gpt
A file, Kate?
human
Nay, Ben, it's right you shouldn't know the word, it's only London-town cant and means a common cutpurse, that's all he was, him and his fair talk to me about an inheritance, washed down you might say with the kissing and the sweet looks and the tumbling--marry, could I say no to the likes of him, and meself as hot and limber as a March hare, could I? Well, rest him quiet, he danced for it at Tyburn.
gpt
Oh, I remember. You've spoke of it before, but I'd forgotten the word. Kate, you shouldn't let those old memories rise up and trouble you--not here, and the old country so far away.