human
We've been expecting you, Mr. Gwynne, he said in his most genial manner.
gpt
Step right in. Dinner'll soon be ready, and I reckon you must be hungry. Take the hosses around to the stable, nigger, and put 'em up. I allowed you'd be delayed some by the bad roads, but I guess you must have got a late start this mornin' from Phin Striker's. Mrs.--er--ahem! I mean your step-mother sent word that you were on the way and to have accommodations ready for you. Say, I'd like to make you acquainted with--
human
My step-mother sent word to you?
gpt
She did. What would you expect her to do, long as she knew you were headed this way? I admit she isn't specially given to worryin' about other people's comforts, but, when you get right down to it, I guess she considers you a sort of connection of hers, spite of everything, and so she lays herself out a little. But I want to tell you one thing, Mr. Gwynne, you're not going to find her particularly cordial, as the sayin' is. She's about as stand-offish and unneighbourly as a Kickapoo Indian. But, as I was sayin', I'd like to make you acquainted with some of our leadin' citizens. This is Daniel Bugher, the recorder, and Doctor Davis, Matt Scudder, Tom Benbridge and John McCormick. It was moved and seconded, soon as you heaved in sight, that we repair at once to Sol Hamer's grocery for a little--
human
Excuse me, broke in Kenneth, laughing;
gpt
I have heard of that grocery, and I think it would be wise for me to become a little better acquainted with my surroundings before I begin trading there.
human
Well, said the former,
gpt
I can see one thing mighty plain. You're going to be popular with my wife and all the other women in town. They'll point to you and say to practically nine-tenths of the married men in Lafayette: 'There's a man that don't drink, and goodness knows HE isn't a preacher!'
human
I am hardly what you would call a teetotaler, gentlemen,
gpt
Wait till you get down with a spell of the Wabash shakes, said Mr. McCormick.
human
That'll make a new man of him, won't it, Doc?
gpt
Depends somewhat on his constitution and the way he was brought up,
human
I was brought up by my grandmother,
gpt
That settles it, groaned Mr. Johnson.
human
You're not long for this world. Before we go in I wish you'd take a look at the new courthouse. We're mighty proud of that building. There isn't a finer courthouse in the state of Indiana,--or maybe I'd better say there won't be if it's ever finished.
gpt
I noticed it as I came by, said the newcomer, dismissing the structure with a glance.
human
If you will conduct me to my room, Mr. Johnson, I--
gpt
Just a second, broke in the landlord, his gaze fixed on a horseman who had turned into the street some distance below.
human
Here comes Barry Lapelle,--down there by that clump of sugar trees. He's the most elegant fellow we've got in town, and you'll want to know him. Makes Lafayette his headquarters most of the--
gpt
I have met Mr. Lapelle, interrupted Kenneth.
human
This morning, out in the country.
gpt
You don't say so!
human
Thought you said he went down the river on yesterday's boat,
gpt
That's just what he did, said Johnson, puzzled.
human
Packed some of his things and said he'd be gone a week or so. He must have got off at Attica,--but, no, he couldn't have got here this soon by road. By glory, I hope the boat didn't strike a snag or a rock, or run ashore somewhere. Looks kind of serious, boys.
gpt
Couldn't he have landed almost anywhere in a skiff?
human
Certainly he could,--but why? He had business down at Covington, he said.
gpt
He told me this morning he had very important business here. That is why he could not ride in with me, said Kenneth, affecting indifference.
human
By the way, is he riding his own horse?
gpt
Yes, said Benbridge.
human
That's his mare Fancy,--thoroughbred filly by King Philip out of Shawnee Belle. He sent her down to Joe Fell's to stud yesterday and--Say, that accounts for him being on her now. You made a good guess, Mr. Gwynne. He must have landed at La Grange, rowed across the river, and hoofed it up to Fell's farm. But what do you suppose made him change his mind so suddenly?
gpt
He'll probably tell you to go to thunder if you ask him,
human
I'm not going to ask him anything,
gpt
He's working tooth and nail against the Wabash and Erie Canal that's projected to run from Lake Erie to the mouth of the Tippecanoe, Mr. Gwynne, said one of the citizens.
human
But it's coming through in spite of him and all the rest of the river hogs.
gpt
I see,