human
That old dame down there thinks a lot of you, William.
gpt
Well, is there any reason why she shouldn't?
human
Not a reason. What's molla, Bill?
gpt
Nothing that I know of.
human
Yes, there is. Something's gone wrong. Can't you tell a pal, Wilhemina?
gpt
No, I can't tell a pal--or anybody else. I don't know. Something's different, down there. I don't know what it is, and I don't like it. She thought a minute and then smiled with that little twist of the lips Ward liked so much.
human
Maybe it's the dog, she guessed.
gpt
I never see his ugly mug that I don't feel like taking a shot at him. I like dogs, too, as a general thing. He's got a wicked heart! I know he has. He'd like nothing better than to take a chunk out of me.
human
I'll go back and kill him; shall I, Bill Loo?
gpt
No. Some day maybe I'll get a chance at him myself. I've warned Marthy, so--
human
Are you dead sure it's the dog?
gpt
Why?
human
Oh, nothing! I just wondered.
gpt
You don't like Charlie; anybody can see that.
human
Yes? Foxy's a real nice young man.
gpt
But you don't like him. You never do like anybody--
human
No? Ward's smile dared her to persist in the accusation.
gpt
In that case I've no business to be fooling around here when there's work to be done. That Cove down there has roused a heap of brand-new wants in me, Wilhemina. Gotta have an orchard up on Mill Creek, lady-fair. Gotta have a flower garden and things that climb all over the house and smell nice. Gotta have four times as much meadow as I've got now, and a house full of books and pictures and things, and more cattle and horses, and a yellow canary in a yellow cage singing his head off out on the porch. Gotta work like one son-of-a-gun, Wilhemina, to get all those things and get 'em quick, so I can stand some show of--getting what I really do want.
human
Well, am I keeping you?
gpt
You are, Ward affirmed quite calmly.
human
Only for you, I'd be hustling like the mischief right this minute along the get-rich trail. Say, Bill, I don't believe it's the dog!