human
You be allers shovin' your Christian feelin's down our throats, Susan. But I say this--you ain't been tried as I hev.
gpt
I be thankful for God's mercies. I might be less thankful if so be as I mixed up my victuals as you do. Faith in A'mighty God have more to do wi' the stomach than most folks think on. As for being tried--I tend four graves in churchyard to your one.
human
Yas--you've had your sore trials, Susan. And the graves be a credit to 'ee. But I've said it afore, and I say it again, small fam'lies make for righteousness. Keepin' my childern in shoe-leather alone took a deal o' saintliness out o' me. Be that cake?
gpt
I hopes so. Have a slice?
human
Your rich cake allers lies heavy on my pore stomach, but 'twould be ungenteel to refuse.
gpt
I'll tell 'ee something, Jane, as betwixt us two. I ain't one to brag unduly, and 'tis true that I be proud o' my Christian feelings. For why? Because, long ago, I come mighty near to losing 'em.
human
I never did! Come near to losin' 'em, did 'ee?
gpt
Yas. Mrs. Yellam's voice became solemn.
human
When I buried my pore husband....
gpt
That was a rare funeral, Susan. Squire and my lady there, flowers from the Hall, a very moving set-out. Was I interrupting of 'ee?
human
You was, Jane, but never mind. As I laid my husband to rest, I says to myself: 'The Lard gave and the Lard ha' taken away.'
gpt
Very proper.
human
The pore man suffered so bad with rheumatics that it seemed God's mercy to take 'un. He'd no pleasure in life onless he were talking of his aches and pains. And allers the misery o' telling me what he'd like to eat an' drink--and couldn't. That fair tore him, and me. He was a rare doer, like Alferd. When he was taken, I did not rebel.