human
Be you sound asleep, John?
gpt
I don't know but what I was a'most, said the tired man, starting a little.
human
I should laugh if I was to fall sound asleep right here on the step; 't is the bright night, I expect, makes my eyes feel heavy, an' 'tis so peaceful. I was up an' dressed a little past four an' out to work. Well, well! and he laughed sleepily and rubbed his eyes.
gpt
Where's the little girls? I'd better step along an' meet 'em.
human
I wouldn't just yet; they'll get home all right, but 't is late for 'em certain. I don't want 'em keepin' Mis' Becker's folks up neither. There, le' 's wait a few minutes,
gpt
I've be'n a-thinkin' all day I'd like to give the child'n some kind of a treat, said the father, wide awake now.
human
I hurried up my work 'cause I had it so in mind. They don't have the opportunities some do, an' I want 'em to know the world, an' not stay right here on the farm like a couple o' bushes.
gpt
They're a sight better off not to be so full o' notions as some is,
human
Certain, answered the farmer;
gpt
Why, so do I, --here the rocking-chair stopped ominously,--
human
Contented ain't all in this world; hopper-toads may have that quality an' spend all their time a-blinkin'. I don't know's bein' contented is all there is to look for in a child. Ambition's somethin' to me.
gpt
Now you've got your mind on to some plot or other. (The rocking-chair began to move again.)
human
Why can't you talk right out?
gpt
answered the good man, a little ruffled; he was never prepared for his wife's mysterious powers of divination.
human
Well there, you do find things out the master! I only thought perhaps I'd take 'em to-morrow, an' go off some where if 't was a good day. I've been promisin' for a good while I'd take 'em to Topham Corners; they've never been there since they was very small.
gpt
I believe you want a good time yourself. You ain't never got over bein' a boy. Mrs. Hilton seemed much amused.
human
There, go if you want to an' take 'em; they've got their summer hats an' new dresses. I don't know o' nothin' that stands in the way. I should sense it better if there was a circus or anythin' to go to. Why don't you wait an' let the girls pick 'em some strawberries or nice ros' berries, and then they could take an' sell 'em to the stores?
gpt
I should like to get me some good yellow-turnip seed to plant late. I ain't more 'n satisfied with what I've been gettin' o' late years o' Ira Speed. An' I'm goin' to provide me with a good hoe; mine's gettin' wore out an' all shackly. I can't seem to fix it good.
human
Them's excuses, observed Mrs. Hilton, with friendly tolerance.
gpt
You just cover up the hoe with somethin', if you get it--I would. Ira Speed's so jealous he'll remember it of you this twenty year, your goin' an' buy in' a new hoe o' anybody but him.
human
I've always thought 't was a free country, said John Hilton soberly.
gpt
I don't want to vex Ira neither; he favors us all he can in trade. 'T is difficult for him to spare a cent, but he's as honest as daylight.