human
I ain't in no position to answer that, Beth.
gpt
Oh, I can't understand it at all! Why can't they be friends as they were at first? What has happened?
human
I can't answer that, neither.
gpt
It's just because Father has refused to bow to him in some little matter, I suppose. Isn't there some way to get them together or at least to get them to compromise?
human
I'm 'feared it ain't in neither of 'em to do either one.
gpt
I suppose not, she replied, a little catch in her voice.
human
But it is too bad to have the work go to pieces like it is just because they are both so stubborn.
gpt
It sartin is, Beth.
human
But I'm in sympathy with my father!
gpt
That's right for you, Beth. I'd think less of you if you felt any other way.
human
If only Mr. McGowan would go to him!
gpt
Let's see if I get the hull drift of your argument. You say that you think your father is right, and the minister is wrong. That being your conviction you think the minister otter go to him and do a little apologizing. Well, he won't. What he's done is just as right to him as what your father thinks he'd otter done is right to your dad. To try to get 'em together would be like trying to mix 'ile and water, both of 'em good enough in their place, but when you try to mix 'em what you get ain't one nor t'other, and sp'iles both. Cal'late we'd best leave 'em as they are.
human
I didn't mean that Mr. McGowan should go to Father and apologize. That would be too much like all of the others before him. But I did think you might suggest some other way to bring them together before things get worse.
gpt
Beth, I'd like to accommodate you, if that's what you're asking of me, but if Mack McGowan had chosen any other way than the one he took, I'd cut him adrift, sartin as death.
human
Forgive me, Beth, for making you cry like that. I ain't nothing but a rough old sailor, and can't say things as they'd otter be said. Come, it ain't wuth crying over. What I meant was that I'd have disowned him, because I'd have known he was going contrary-wise to what he thought was right.
gpt
I wasn't crying, she choked, drawing the corner of her handkerchief from her mouth.
human
It struck me so funny, Uncle Josiah!
gpt
Your notion of fun is the funniest I ever see, he commented.
human
Mind telling me what it was that tickled you so?
gpt
You! Captain Josiah Pott! Threatening to disown the minister should he fail to toe your chalk-line! Where, may I ask, can one find a more high-handed tyranny of spurned authority than that? It's too funny for words!
human
I cal'late you'd do some disowning, too, if he'd go traipsing round asking everybody's pardon just because he steps on a few toes now and again.
gpt
I disown him? she asked, not able to check the rush of color to her cheeks.
human
Pray tell! Why----
gpt
Now, see here, Beth, there ain't no use of your pretending to me.
human
Now, see here, Beth, there ain't no use of your pretending to me. I've got a pair of eyes, and I make use of 'em. You wouldn't want him a mite different, and if he was, you'd be as disapp'inted as me. I know what I'm talking about, he declared, holding up his pipe with a convincing gesture.
gpt
All that he's done is as religious to him as preaching a sermon, even that fight down to the Inn. It was a heap sight more religious than a lot of sermons I've listened to in my day.
human
But, Uncle Josiah, don't you think his methods are a little too strenuous and out of the ordinary in dealing with spiritual derelicts?
gpt
I ain't got much of an idea what you mean by spiritual derricks, Beth, but I'm going to say this: he's the fust real live preacher I ever see, and if he's got ways of bringing 'em in that's a mite off the set course, he's going to do it, and there ain't enough men living to stop him. He has found some of that queer sort of religion what he called anonymous down there to that Inn, and if he'd have taken water the other night he'd have lost every one of them boys. He fought that puncher because he was after the gang behind him. If things had gone against him, I'd have pitched in and helped him trounce the hull enduring lot, and I'd have felt mighty religious while I was doing it, too.
human
But I think he might prove just as much a success and still not be so original. It doesn't pay when one's position and salary depend on how one acts.
gpt
Mack's position and salary can hang from the same gallows, so far as he's concerned, if they go to putting muzzles on him.
human
I'm so glad you said that!
gpt
Beth, you've sartin got me gasping to understand you this morning.
human
I'm trying so hard to explain without actually telling you. He must leave the church!
gpt
Must leave----Say, what in tarnation do you mean?
human
Please, don't hint that I told you, but it has been decided by the vestry.
gpt
I want to know!
human
It isn't to be on account of the fight, though. Oh, I was real bad and listened, she explained to the surprised seaman.
gpt
I didn't mean to at first, but I couldn't help hearing. Then, I had to listen to the rest. I shall tell Father what I have done just as soon as I can, for I know it was wicked of me. I felt I must come to you. They are going to find something in his sermons that isn't orthodox, and then, there is to be a church trial! That was what I didn't want to tell you for fear you wouldn't understand, but you didn't suggest anything for me to do, and I had to tell you. Can't you get Mr. McGowan to be careful what he puts in his sermons?
human
Am I to tell him whose orders they be?
gpt
Indeed, not!
human
A heap of good it will do, then, for me to say anything. He'd take it as a banter for a fight. Cal'late we'll have to trust to luck that he'll stick to the old chart.