human
Free to confess, Squire Walter, that I don't quite like this larned man, as much as the rest of 'em--something queer about him--can't see to the bottom of him--don't think he's quite so meek and lamb-like as he seems:- -once saw a calm dead pool in foren parts--peered down into it--by little and little, my eye got used to it--saw something dark at the bottom-- stared and stared--by Jupiter--a great big alligator!--walked off immediately--never liked quiet pools since--augh, no!
gpt
An argument against quiet pools, perhaps, Bunting; but scarcely against quiet people.
human
Don't know as to that, your honour--much of a muchness. I have seen Master Aram, demure as he looks, start, and bite his lip, and change colour, and frown--he has an ugly frown, I can tell ye--when he thought no one nigh. A man who gets in a passion with himself may be soon out of temper with others. Free to confess, I should not like to see him married to that stately beautiful young lady--but they do gossip about it in the village. If it is not true, better put the Squire on his guard--false rumours often beget truths--beg pardon, your honour--no business of mine- -baugh! But I'm a lone man, who have seen the world, and I thinks on the things around me, and I turns over the quid--now on this side, now on the other--'tis my way, Sir--and--but I offend your honour.
gpt
Not at all; I know you are an honest man, Bunting, and well affected to our family; at the same time it is neither prudent nor charitable to speak harshly of our neighbours without sufficient cause. And really you seem to me to be a little hasty in your judgment of a man so inoffensive in his habits and so justly and generally esteemed as Mr. Aram.
human
May be, Sir--may be,--very right what you say. But I thinks what I thinks all the same; and indeed, it is a thing that puzzles me, how that strange-looking vagabond, as frighted the ladies so, and who, Miss Nelly told me, for she saw them in his pocket, carried pistols about him, as if he had been among cannibals and hottentots, instead of the peaceablest county that man ever set foot in, should boast of his friendship with this larned schollard, and pass a whole night in his house. Birds of a feather flock together--augh!--Sir!
gpt
A man cannot surely be answerable for the respectability of all his acquaintances, even though he feel obliged to offer them the accommodation of a night's shelter.
human
Baugh! grunted the Corporal.
gpt
Seen the world, Sir--seen the world-- young gentlemen are always so good-natured; 'tis a pity, that the more one sees the more suspicious one grows. One does not have gumption till one has been properly cheated--one must be made a fool very often in order not to be fooled at last!
human
Well, Corporal, I shall now have opportunities enough of profiting by experience. I am going to leave Grassdale in a few days, and learn suspicion and wisdom in the great world.
gpt
Augh! baugh!--what? cried the Corporal, starting from the contemplative air which he had hitherto assumed.
human
The great world?--how?--when?--going away;--who goes with your honour?
gpt
My honour's self; I have no companion, unless you like to attend me;
human
I! your honour's too good; and indeed, though I say it, Sir, you might do worse; not but what I should be sorry to leave nice snug home here, and this stream, though the trout have been shy lately,--ah! that was a mistake of yours, Sir, recommending the minnow; and neighbour Dealtry, though his ale's not so good at 'twas last year; and--and--but, in short, I always loved your honour--dandled you on my knees;--You recollect the broadsword exercise?--one, two, three--augh! baugh!--and if your honour really is going, why rather than you should want a proper person who knows the world, to brush your coat, polish your shoes, give you good advice--on the faith of a man, I'll go with you myself!