human
A pretty story I've aheerd in Oxford to-day; make me shamed, it doth, said Zacchary Cripps to his sister Etty, while he smoked his contemplative pipe by the fire of Stow logs, one cold and windy April evening.
gpt
What do you think they've abeen and doed?
human
Who, and where, Zak? How can I tell? Esther was busy, trimming three rashers, before she put them into the frying-pan.
gpt
I really do believe you expect me to know everybody that comes to your thoughts, quite as if it was my own mind.
human
Well, so you ought, said the Carrier.
gpt
The women nowadays are so sharp, no man can have his own mind to his self. But anyhow you ought to know that I mean up to poor Worship Overshute's. Ah, a fine young gentleman as ever lived. Seemeth to be no more than last night as he sat in that there chair and said the queerest thing as ever were said by a Justice of the county bench.
human
What do you mean, Zak? I never heard him say anything but was kind and proper, and a credit to him.
gpt
Might be proper, or might not. But anyhow 'twere impossible. Did a tell me, or did a not, he would try to go a-poaching? When folk begins to talk like that, 'tis a sign of the ill come over them. Ah's me, 'tis little he'll ever do of poaching, or shutting, or riding to hounds, or tasting again of my best bottle! Bad enough job it be about old Squire, but he be an old man in a way of speaking. Well, the Lord He knoweth best, and us be all in the hollow of His hand. But he were a fine young fellow, as fine a young fellow as ever I see; and not a bit of pride about un!
human
But what were you going to tell me?
gpt
Railly, I be almost ashamed to tell 'ee. For such a thing to come to pass in our own county, and a'most the same parish, and only two turnpike gates atween. What do 'ee think of every soul in that there house running right away, wi'out no notice, nor so much as 'good-bye!' One and all on 'em, one and all; so I were told by a truthful man. And the poor old leddy with her dying son, and not a single blessed woman for to make the pap!
human
I never can believe that they would be such cowards, Esther answered as she left her work and came to look at Zacchary.
gpt
Men might, but women never, I should hope. And such a kind good house it is! Oh, Zak, it must be a wicked story!
human
It is true enough, Etty, and too true. As I was a-coming home I seed five on 'em standing all together under the elms by Magdalen College. Their friends would not take them in, I was told, and nobody wouldn't go nigh 'em. Perhaps they were sorry they had doed it then.
gpt
The wretches! They ought to sleep out in the rain, without even a pigsty for shelter! Now, Zak, I never do anything without you; but to Shotover Grange I go to-night, unless you bar the door on me; and if you do I will get out of window!
human
Esther, I never heerd tell of such a thing. If you was under a duty, well and good; but to fly into the face of the Lord like that, without no call upon you----
gpt
There is a call upon me! she answered, flushing with calm resolution;