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50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joe, you frighten me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wouldn’t do that for the world, Susie. His voice was slightly less hard."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m going to frighten them. See?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m going to catch ’em together in this room to-night."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Gracious!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And you’ve got to stand shoulder to shoulder with me, behind that screen. At the right moment, when least expected, we’ll pop out."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And what will you say?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ho! What will I say? Between now and then, my dear, I shall think over what I’m going to say. Words won’t fail me. I shall down the pair of them, rub their noses in their insolence and folly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, dear!"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sit down, mother."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There! Couched in the ambush, as Shakespeare says. Do you remember, old dear, when me and you took a course o’ the Bard to improve our powers o’ speech?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes; we were young then, Joe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We’re young still, dearie. Young and spry! Full o’ beans."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joe dear!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What is it?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You became engaged to me, didn’t you, against your father’s wish, and unbeknown to mother? Yes, you did."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And what of it?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I never told mother that day you kissed me for the first time behind our parlour door."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now, Susie, what are you gettin’ at? Circumstances alter cases. My father made a white nigger o’ me. But, by Gum! I wasn’t disobedient."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You were, and you know it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What do you mean?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You took up with me against his wish."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ho! I honoured him by marrying the best girl in Melchester."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You did deceive him, Joe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Serve him right, too."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I say you deceived him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, for the Lord’s sake, don’t go on sayin’ it, repeatin’ yourself like an old poll parrot. Father never did do you justice. He never did know quality. Quantity was what he’d go for. Lordy! how he used to waller in cheap job lots!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And I deceived my pore mother. Used to wear my engagement ring at night."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I used to envy that ring, Susie. I used to think of you asleep, and wonder what you looked like. He sighed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Great times them was, to be sure!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Because of those times, she whispered,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You leave that to me, my dear. I’ll fix ’em to rights. I’ll sweep the cobwebs out o’ their silly noddles."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If you’ll try not to forget that we was just as silly once."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Silly? Us? That won’t wash, Susie. Like mated like."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s all right, Jim. Father fast asleep and snoring! Come up! Take your shoes off! The fourth stair from the top creaks horribly. Skip that!"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You must promise to behave reasonably."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Reasonably? Don’t you like being kissed by me?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of course I—er—like it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Awfully?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If you sit in that chair, I’ll sit on the arm of it. Please! Be good!"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You are a sweet!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Am I much prettier than Mabel Dredge?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Rather! What made you mention her?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, nothing. But mother was saying only this morning that six months ago, when I was at school, she thought that Mabel Dredge and you might make a match of it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What rubbish!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I expect you flirted with her a teeny-weeny bit?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As if any man with eyes in his head would look at Miss Dredge when you were about."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But I wasn’t about then."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Don’t let’s jaw about Miss Dredge. I say, isn’t this cosy?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Isn’t it? Fancy if father could see us now. Jim, dear, I simply adore the excitement of this—our meeting here in the sanctuary. By the way, are you as mad as daddy about things?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Things?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Things as opposed to persons. Could you fall down and worship figures?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I could worship your figure."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You know what I mean, I’m simply wondering what effect this particular business has had upon your character. Don’t frown! We must admit that his business hasn’t improved poor father. And as for Mr. Tomlin——"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What do you mean exactly by business affecting character?"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I hoped you would guess what I meant. Of course, poor father is honest. I have always been so proud of that. It would break my heart if he were like that horrid Mr. Tomlin, but he does care too much for what mother calls sticks and stones. They have come between him and her; and they have come between him and me. I have never really known how much he loved me. And now this is going to be a test, because if he does love me really and truly he will put my happiness before his ambition, won’t he?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Make up your mind to this, Posy. There will be a big row. It’s inevitable."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How like a man! Big rows are never inevitable. And daddy is an awful old fuss-pot, but his bark is much worse than his bite. When he barks at me I laugh inside. Now, Jim, are you necessary to father?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Necessary? Perhaps I am more necessary than he thinks, because I know too much to be treated badly. He would hardly dare to sack me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not dare!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I mean that I have a sort of ’pull’ with him. And I’m a hard worker, and a first-class cabinet-maker. When the time comes for him to take a partner he couldn’t find a better man than I am."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Jim, I declare you have caught father’s habit of swanking."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Swank, or no swank, I think I can make terms with your father, and the time has come to do it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’d sooner things went on as they are for the present."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Why?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, we haven’t seen very much of each other as yet. Why, we hardly know each other."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I have reasons, dearest, for wishing to tackle your father as soon as possible."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What reasons?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I must keep them to myself for the present. You trust me?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, yes, but I’m horribly curious! Are you cross?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No, darling, I’m impatient. I want you to be wholly mine."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Do you ever think of what it will be like when you are mine?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ye-es."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sit on my lap, you darling!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I have never done that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Isn’t it time to begin? Is your dear little heart beating?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, it is. Almost loud enough for father to hear. But I feel—I feel——"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What do you feel?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As if—as if we were playing hide-and-seek in the dark. I’m rather frightened. I suppose it’s stupid. I——"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m going to kiss the fear of me out of you—now!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No, you ain’t!"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thought it likely you might make a fool of yourself, and I’ve not been disappointed. Come on, mother!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Look at her, continued Quinney."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’s blushin’ to the roots of her hair for you."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m not the least little bit ashamed of myself!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sorry to hear that, my girl; it fair furs my tongue to find you here. Now then, like to take it sittin’ or standin’?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Take what?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The dose I’m goin’ to deal out to a deceitful, disobedient, ungrateful daughter. Sharper than a serpent’s tooth, you are!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’ll take it standing, replied Posy,"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Posy! Please remember what you’ve not got on!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This beats the band, said Quinney."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I call this rank mutiny."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s—it’s Nature,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You hold your tongue, mother! A nice couple, I do declare! Can you cook, Miss Independence?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Cook? Not me. You know I can’t cook. Why?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why didn’t you teach this young lady to use a broom, mother? Can she wash anything more useful than her own hands?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Your orders, Joe. The child, you said, was to be brought up like a little princess."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They tell me, he observed derisively,"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Intentions honourable?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They are, sir."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arranged the weddin’-day yet?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Not yet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Waitin’, maybe, for father’s blessing and a snug settlement?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And why not? Isn’t it your duty to provide for me? It’s your fault, not mine, that I can’t cook, or wash, or sew."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What a sauce! said Quinney, lifting his congested eyes to heaven."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mother, you go and stand between ’em."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now, Miss Impudence, ain’t I been a good father to you? No quibblin’! Ain’t I been a tip-top parent to you?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I don’t quite know."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What you say?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I said I didn’t quite know."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, I’m fairly jiggered! Ain’t I given’ you everything a girl wants?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Indeed you haven’t."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I have wanted things you didn’t give me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Of all the shameless hussies! Now, you answer straight. It’d take a month o’ Sundays to tell you what I have given you, but you tell me what I’ve not given."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Be fair, Joe! You’ve not given the child your confidence or your sympathy. You don’t know what books she reads; you don’t know anything about her except what’s on the surface."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hark to this!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You heard her say just now, when we was behind the screen, that she didn’t know whether you loved her. That’s something a girl ought to know, isn’t it?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Go it! Love her? Love my daughter? You know that I love her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As she said, this is going to be a test of that."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "See here, Susan! Are you on my side or on hers?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m trying to stand between you, Joe—trying hard to keep the peace, and—and to be just."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just? You dare to hint that I don’t love my child?"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You love old furniture, Joe, old china, tapestries, and lacquer cabinets. You love them too well, dear. They have crept between you and Posy, between you—and me."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And you—don’t you love old furniture, old china? He made a passionate gesture, including within a sweep of his arm all the treasures about him. He continued:"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Answer me! Don’t you love things worth their weight in gold?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They interest me, of course. I don’t love them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Never entered your overcrowded mind, did it, that when closing-time came for me these things would belong to my only child—hey?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It may have entered my mind, sir, but I didn’t fall in love with Posy because she was your daughter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ho! Tell me, how do you propose to support this young lady after I’ve given you the sack?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For that matter, Mr. Tomlin wants me. You pay me four pounds a week. I’m worth ten to any big dealer."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I am quite able to support a wife."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Are you? Does that mean, my lad, that you’re ready to marry her against my wish, without my consent?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I counted on your consent, sir."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You answer my question. You’re in love with Posy for herself—hey? You’d take her as she stands?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, Jim, you are a darling! I was never quite—quite sure till this blessed minute!"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Damn you! he spluttered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If you want her, take her—now."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joe! He can’t take her without her stockings!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s his affair,"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "intent only upon"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joe, you ain’t serious? You ain’t turning our child out of our house at midnight?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m turning out a—adder!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If you do this——"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Go on!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If you do this unnatural, cruel, wicked——"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That’s right. Hit a man when he’s down!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Down! she retorted, as fiercely as he;"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Darling mother!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All your fault, you baggage! Susan! Susan!"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Stop it, old dear, stop it! I care about you. Susie—I do, indeed! Worked for you, I have, made a perfect lady of yer! Couldn’t get along without you, no how! And you know it! Darby and Joan—what? Oh, bung it! Gawd bless me soul! you’ll melt away like, if you ain’t careful. Sue, s’elp me, you come first."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Do I? Sure?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why, of course. Nice old cup of tea, you are, to doubt that!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You’d miss me if I went?"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Miss you? Haven’t I said time and again that I hoped as I’d be taken first?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh yes, you’ve said so——"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meant it, too! Man o’ my word, I am!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Man of your word, she repeated ironically."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tell me you was joking when you threatened to turn young Posy into the street?"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Young Posy needn’t leave us unless she wants to. I’ll keep on James. I’ll sweeten his salary again to please you, but our child ain’t for the likes of him. He’s no class."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "James is good enough class for a child of yours."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It comes to this, Posy. You’ve got to choose between James Miggott and us. Now, not another word. You scoot off to bed. We’ll talk of this again to-morrow."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I shall choose Jim to-morrow."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If you drive Posy out of this house, Joe, I shall go with her. If she never returns to it, I shall never return to it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The pore soul’s gone potty!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was ever so happy when we went to live in the Dream Cottage; I have been very unhappy in this big house filled with things which you love more than me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unhappy—here? Lordy! You’ll complain of the Better Land when you get there!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "May I suggest——"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A compromise, sir. You have always impressed me with the wisdom of doing nothing rashly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Pity you couldn’t profit by such advice, Mr. Marry-in-Haste."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve been courting Posy for more than three months."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You’ve the rest of your life to regret it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There are one or two matters to talk over, sir, before we part company."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Meaning, my lad?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Matters we had better discuss quietly, and—alone."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ho! Hear that, Susan? He’s not quite in such a hurry to take the young lady without her stockin’s. Very good! You pop off to bed, my girl. Susan, you go with her. I’ll see you later."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Good-night, Jim!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Good-night, my darling!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tchah!"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When I think of what I’ve done for them two thankless females!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What have you done?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Slaved for ’em for twenty years! Sweated blood, I have! Thanks to me, they’ve lived in cotton-wool, able to take it easy all the time. Enough o’ that! What you got to say to me—alone? Hey?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Can’t you guess? Didn’t you overhear just now what I said to Posy? I told her that I thought I could deal with you, and that the time had come to do it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Deal away, my lad. Pull the cards out o’ yer sleeve. Lay ’em on the table."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My cards, sir, are chairs."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Chairs? You gone potty, too?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Chairs. The chairs which Mr. Tomlin bought for fifty pounds; the chairs which I ’restored’; the chairs which were done up with old needlework covers taken from other chairs; the chairs which you put up at Christopher’s and bought in after spirited bidding—faked bidding—for nine hundred pounds; the chairs which you sold to Mr. Hunsaker this morning for eleven hundred; the chairs which you ordered me to pack at once. Nice little tale to tell Mr. Hunsaker, when he calls to-morrow! Nice little bit of ’copy’ for the newspapers."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Blackmail!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I prefer to call it a weapon, sir, which you are forcing me, sorely against my will, to use."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This puts the lid on."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, it does."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I understand. It’s my daughter against your silence, hey? Hold hard! Does she know of this?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No. Don’t you remember? She asked for information, which I withheld out of respect for you and her. Posy believes you to be scrupulously honest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m damned!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I fear that you will be, if this story becomes public."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My Posy against your silence. My Posy against my reputation. My Posy against my wife!"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "May I put my case this way, sir? As your prospective son-in-law, working hard in and for your interest, do I not present serious claims upon your attention?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Cut that prospective son-in-law cackle! As yourself, my lad, you do present very serious claims indeed upon my attention."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Have it as you please, Mr. Quinney."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s exactly how I mean to have it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What have you against me, sir?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You ain’t honest; you ain’t straight; you ain’t fit to marry an honest girl!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Isn’t this a case of the pot calling the kettle black?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, it is. We’re both pots—dirty pots. How dirty I someway never saw till to-night. But my Posy is porcelain—clean, dainty porcelain. You can’t touch her without defilin’ her. Now—scoot!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Without settling anything?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You shall be settled to-morrow. Don’t worry."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You are wise, sir, to take a night to sleep over it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Done talkin’?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "For to-night, yes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Good! Because with every extra word you’re givin’ yourself dead away. Easier to marry money than to make it, hey? Kennel up, you puppy!"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Drink it, you old spoof-sticks! Lordy, Sue, I didn’t know you had it in yer! What a spirit! What a little tigress!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I meant it, Joe."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tch! tch! In two sticks you’ll have my pore leg pulled out of shape."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I meant it, every word of it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What? You’d leave the best and kindest hubby in the world?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’d leave a crool, heartless father."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Do that to her dear heart, you would. He snatched at the full glass, and hurled that to the floor. Susan merely observed:"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Another two shillings gone!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Two shillings? Ten! Old Bristol! Lovely stuff!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There you go again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ho! You really think I care about money?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, I do."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, I don’t. You say I care about things. So I do. But things have been a means to an end with me. Never mind that now. If you don’t know yer luck in havin’ Joe Quinney for a husband, he’s too busy a man to learn ye. I want to talk about something else. This James Miggott’s a bad lad. He’s threatening me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Threatening you, Joe? What about?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Never you mind what about! He ain’t goin’ to down me that way."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "James is fighting for our Posy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No, he ain’t. He’s fighting—and hittin’ below the belt, too—for things. These things."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I don’t believe it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Right! You can believe this, I shall fight to a finish. No quarter—see?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Very well. Good-night!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What d’ye mean by ’good-night’?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m going to sleep with Posy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You ain’t?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, I am!"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Anything wrong?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Nothing,"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I think that will do, my dear."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Lookin’ peaky, you are,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Weather affects me. Seems even to have affected you, sir."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ho! Observant young miss! But you’re wrong. Weather don’t affect me; and it oughtn’t to affect a healthy young woman like you. Sleep badly?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ye-es."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Same here."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Beastly, ain’t it? She nodded, and he continued, speaking rather to himself than to her:"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "To toss about, tinglin’ all over, with one’s thoughts in a ferment! Perfectly disgustin’!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve a lot on my mind just now, he went on,"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sit down, he commanded."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There’s no hurry. I’m expecting Mr. Tomlin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I beg your pardon; I forgot to mention it. I have a message from Mr. Miggott. His respects, and he wants to see you if you can spare a few minutes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ho! Well, I can’t see him yet. He must wait my convenience. Sit you down!"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Any of your people ill, my dear?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not in debt, are you?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Certainly not."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not sufferin’ from neuralgia, or toothache, or anything of that sort?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I am in excellent health, sir."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then, my girl, you’re in love."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That’s none of your business, sir!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Don’t be too sure o’ that, my dear. Perhaps it is my business; anyway, I’m going to make it my business, because I take a fatherly interest in you."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I can manage my own affairs, Mr. Quinney."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No, you can’t. Look ye here. I’m a wonderful guesser—always was. You like James Miggott. Nothing to be ashamed of in that. I’ll be bound he likes you!"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Doesn’t he like you?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He used to like me,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah! Now, Mabel, there are just as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And what time have I to catch fish?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "S’pose you was my daughter, I shouldn’t like you to marry James. This is on the strict Q.T., just between me and you, James was a faker of old furniture till he came to me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He’s no better, I dare say, and no worse, than other men in his trade!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tch! tch! He’s lucky to have a nice girl to stick up for him. Now, my dear —his voice became very soft and confidential—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I don’t know."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Cheer up! Maybe I can help you. Lordy! Don’t cry! Answer me this—straight. Do you still want him?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ye-es."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At one time, I take it, you thought he was yours?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Do you believe that he likes somebody else?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Do you know who that somebody is? Come, be square with me, my dear. Is it a young lady who shall remain nameless—a young lady lately returned from school; a young lady whom James Miggott will never marry—never?"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And you still want him?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Queer creatures you women are, to be sure!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "We can’t pick and choose like men."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If you want him, you shall have him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You don’t know James, sir."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ho! Don’t I? Better than you know him, better than he knows himself. I’ll help you, my girl, but you must help me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How?"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tell me truly what has passed between you and this young man."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I ain’t no saint, said Quinney solemnly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And I tell you this, Mabel Dredge, I’ve been through hell during the past twelve hours; and I’m not out of it yet. Stand up, you poor dear! Look me in the face, for then you’ll know that you can trust me. Give me your hand—so! It’s a nice little hand. Ought there to be a wedding-ring on it?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes,"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Come to throw yourself at my feet and ask forgiveness?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Certainly not."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meant all you said last night?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Every word of it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What is Posy doing?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Crying her eyes out, I dare say."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sounds sloppy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mr. Tomlin is here. Hateful man! I suppose he’ll side with you!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That remains to be seen. I doubt it. Ask Tom to step up."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ever suffer from indigestion?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Never."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I do, said Tomlin gloomily. He added with finality:"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Port, even the best, atop o’ bubbly wine is a mistake after fifty. What you want me for, young Joe?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Glad I look young, Tom. I don’t feel it this morning."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Blest if you ain’t made a night of it, too."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Here’s something to cheer us up."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Quite O.K., Joe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Like your bit o’ ready now?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Never refuse cash, my lad."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why this receipt, Joe? Ain’t a cheque a receipt?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A cheque don’t show what money is paid for. My way of doin’ business."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No complaints."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What we done the day before yesterday was a leetle bit dangerous, old man. Sailin’ too near the reefs—um?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Skilled navigators, my lad, do sail near the reefs. I wouldn’t assume such risks with another man."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But you did!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What do you mean, Joe?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "James Miggott is in the know."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of course, but he’s had his little bit."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes; but he wants more!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The swine! He stared at Quinney, beholding upon the whimsical face of his pupil writing which he could not read."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What’s up?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I am, said Quinney, rising;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A fight, Joe? Who with?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That dirty dog, James Miggott. He wants more than what we gave him. See? He wants my Posy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Your Posy? Don’t blame him for wanting her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You hold hard! Young Posy wants him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Gawd bless my soul! She’s not the judge o’ quality he is."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And Susan backs ’em up. That fairly tears it."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Between ’em, Tom, they’ve got a strangle hold on us."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Us? What have I to do with your fam’ly matters?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I sent for you to tell you. Now, first and last, they’ll never have my consent, never! But, by thunder! I refuse my consent, not because the dog’s my servant, but because he isn’t straight. He’s no better than you and me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You speak for yourself, young man."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I ain’t young. We’re both of us old enough to know better and do better, but we’ve had to make our way. Maybe I’ve been honester than you, maybe I haven’t. I ain’t whining, least of all to you. We’re in a deep hole of our own making. And we must get out of it. I told this James Miggott last night that we was pots, just common pots, sailin’ down the stream with other pots. But my little Posy’s porcelain, the finest paste, the gem o’ my collection. Susan accuses me of caring for things, these things. So I do; so do you; that’s why we’ve struggled to the front. And this son of a gun loves things, and what they stand for. He’s after my things, but he’s clever enough to have bluffed two innercent females into believin’ that he wants my Posy without ’em."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve called his bluff, if it is bluff. I’ve told him that he can take Posy, march her out of this house as she is."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What did he say to that?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I should have downed him, but, by Gum, the old lady butted in. Swore solemn she’d leave my house, if I turned Posy out. She means it, too!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A good riddance,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What? I’d have you to know, Tom Tomlin, that my Susan and me have stuck together through thick and thin. I think the world of her, but she’s without guile, bless her, and as obstinate as Balaam’s ass!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "S’pose you tell me where I come in?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Here and now, by the back-door! This dirty dog threatens to down me with the true story of them chairs. And he’ll do it, too. Now, let this soak in together with all that port and champagne you swallered last night. If he downs me, he downs you! Got it?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Threatens to split? I’d like to tell that young man exactly what I think of him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You can, said Quinney derisively;"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, many a time. Nice-lookin’ gal."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This maggot of a Miggott has been eatin’ into her young affections, see?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Has he? The young man has taste, Joe. Reg’lar lady-killer!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s a weapon, but I don’t rely on it. I can’t use it, in fairness to Mabel, till we stand in the last ditch."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Why not? Got to think of ourselves, ain’t we?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s two-edged, Tom. You ain’t yourself this morning, or you’d see, with your knowledge of the fair sex, that Posy might be keener on gettin’ this scamp, if she learned that another woman was after him. We’ll try to handle Master Miggott first."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Good-morning, Mr. Tomlin! Good-morning, Mr. Quinney!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mornin’, Mr. Chesty! Bin usin’ a Sandow’s exerciser?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No, sir; Indian clubs. Am I to state my case before Mr. Tomlin?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes. Go ahead and state it. Don’t waste my time, or his, or your own."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Last night, Mr. Quinney threatened to turn his daughter into the street, because she’s engaged to be married to me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My hand was forced, my lad. Go on."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I can support a wife, and Miss Quinney is ready to marry me by special licence this afternoon."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Quite sure o’ that?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ab—solutely. Unhappily, I’m not yet in a financial position to support two ladies."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Two ladies?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I allude, sir, to Mrs. Quinney. She insists upon leaving you, if her child is turned out. That rather complicates matters."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It does,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Under these circumstances, gentlemen, I feel justified in bringing pressure to bear. Mr. Hunsaker, who bought certain chairs yesterday, will call again this morning. He is naturally interested in the history of the chairs; and he might make trouble if he knew all the facts about them as known to you, Mr. Tomlin, to Mr. Quinney, and to me. I may add that my responsibility in the affair is negligible."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Slick talker,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What do you propose?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A compromise, Mr. Tomlin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’s compromised my Posy, and many another pore girl, I’ll be bound!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Pardon me, sir. That sort of talk before a witness is libellous."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ll down you, my lad; yes, I will!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Self-preservation being the first law, sir, I must—sorely against the grain—down you first. Excuse plain speaking."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I like plain speaking! I was weaned on it, short-coated on it! By Gum! my father damned me before I was born!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Easy all, murmured Tomlin nervously. He addressed James with a civility which the young man acknowledged with a faint smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Do I understand that you threaten to down your master because he refuses to sanction an engagement between you and his daughter?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s a case of ’pull, devil—pull, baker!’ I mean to pull for all I’m worth."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And what are you worth, Lord Rothschild?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You spoke of compromise, James?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, sir. I suggest that my engagement to Miss Quinney should be sanctioned and recognized. I will stay on here, and demonstrate to Mr. Quinney my claims to be taken on later as a junior partner. Unless Miss Quinney of her own will cancels the engagement, the marriage will take place——"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Never!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Shall I retire, gentlemen? You have time to talk things over. Mr. Hunsaker will not be here for another hour yet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, yes; leave us."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The long and short of it is, Joe, that this young feller can ruin us, rob us of our hard-earned reputations. We must square him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Money? He wants money and Posy!"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Posy might do worse,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ho! That’s it. Sidin’ with them? Thought you might!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Face the music, Joe! We’re hanged, high as Haman, unless the ladies come to the rescue. It’s a bit thick his threatenin’ you. How does Posy take that—um?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How can I tell her what he’s threatening to do? James knows that, the dog!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You can hint at unpleasantness. Posy ought to know that her young man is buckin’ about ruining you."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Maybe you’d like to talk to Susan and Posy?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I should. I understand women; you don’t."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You shall talk to ’em."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Susan!—Su—san!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is that you calling, Joe?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Who did yer think it was? The Archbishop o’ Canterbury or the First Lord of the Admiralty? Come you down quick, and bring Posy with you."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That the way you talk to an angry woman? Had any words with Mrs. Quinney this morning?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve been talking to her and at her, off and on, ever since breakfast."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Pore, dear soul!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sunday best."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Goin’ to church?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Only if driven there by you."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Seasonable weather for the time of year?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Fiddle!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Be’ind the door, she was, Tom, when they collected threepence a head for manners. Now, sit you down!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Any objections to my smoking, ma’am?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not she, replied her husband,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "May I say a few words, ma’am?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Provided they are few, you may, Mr. Tomlin."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tut, tut, Joe. You leave this to me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I don’t think you can be aware, ma’am, that James Miggott is threatening your husband, and —he turned to Posy—"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joe told me as much last night. I know well what James is threatening. He’s not the only man of his word in this house. He’s threatening to take the girl he loves as she is. He’s not thinking of anything else. He’s made it plain that he’s only to hold up his finger, and Posy’ll go to him gladly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Just what I told you, Tom,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You’re under a misapprehension, ma’am. Miggott is threatening us—me and Joe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Threatening you, Mr. Tomlin? Why should he threaten you, and why should you care tuppence whether he threatens you or not?"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I repeat, ma’am, he’s threatening us. He’s talking of trying to ruin us."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Talkin’ through his hat,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You’ll have to speak more plainly, Mr. Tomlin, if you wish me to understand what you’re driving at."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is it possible that you contemplate leaving the most faithful husband in the world, ma’am?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That’s better. Now, Susie, you listen to Tom, if you won’t listen to me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’ve listened patiently to you, Joe, for just twenty years. It’s about time I did a bit of talking, and that you did the listening."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ho! Been bottling things up, have you? She nodded."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then you uncork yourself, old dear! But, before you begin, I’ll try to impress this on your female mind. This dirty dog of a James Miggott is threatening me and Tom. He believes that he can injure our reputations in the trade. See? Tom, here, thinks that he’ll do it, if I refuse to surrender. Well, I don’t. That’s where he and me differ. But, just as sure as the Lord made little apples and small, mean souls, it’s the solid truth that this young man is tryin’ to blackmail me! Now you have the text, dearie. Get you up and preach a sermon on it. Posy, in her Sunday clothes, will listen, and so will I. But bear in mind that you took me for better or worse."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And please remember, ma’am, that you have to consider me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If I’m driven from house and home, Mr. Tomlin, ’tain’t likely I shall waste much time considering you!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Who’s driving you, ma’am, from house and home?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My husband is, more shame to him!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Blaze away!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joe —her voice trembled in spite of a gallant effort to control it—"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Used?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Between you and me, that’s over and done with."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No, it ain’t, Susie. Seemin’ly, what I’ve done to show my love for you ain’t enough. S’pose you tell me what more I might do?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Give your consent to Posy marrying, as I did—marrying the man of her choice. Have you anything against his moral character?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’s a wrong ’un; take that from me!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Not without proof. What’s he done that’s wrong? He don’t muddle his wits with food and drink. He don’t use filthy tobacco. He attends Divine Service."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ho! Poor in this world’s goods, but a moral millionaire, hey?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s hateful to hear you sneer at him!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You ask me to give my daughter to a dog that’s trying to bite the hand that fed him?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Posy might do worse,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now you’ve torn it! said Quinney viciously."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m alone against the lot of you. Good! I’ll down the lot of you, I’ll——"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Father!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, my girl?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You won’t answer one important question. What is James threatening to do to you and Mr. Tomlin?"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Look ye here, my girl, suppose you ask James that question."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I want to ask him,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fine! muttered Tomlin."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, my dear, you ask him why he dares to threaten your dear father."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And you,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That’s right. And me. More than one good tip he’s had from me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tips? Why should you tip him?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You can ask him. There’s no time to waste."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No time to waste?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Go to him, said Quinney."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’s in his room. We’ll wait here."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Father sent me to you, Jim."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I knew he’d climb down!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But he hasn’t. Jim, dear, what do you mean by threatening father and—and Mr. Tomlin?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Have you received tips from Mr. Tomlin?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’s paid me for work done."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What sort of work?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Restoring old bits of stuff. What has that got to do with us?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And why is there all this hurry? Mr. Tomlin said just now that there was no time to waste."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’s right; there isn’t!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But why?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s like this, Posy. I told you last night that I could deal with your father, that the right moment had come to deal with him. Now, give me a free hand!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mr. Tomlin spoke, not very clearly, about your being able to ruin father and him. Father denies that!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Does he?"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What’s the matter, dearest? This excitement has been too much for you. Do let me handle your father. Believe me, I can do it in our joint interest."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Has father done something dishonest?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Are you threatening to expose some fraud, a fraud connected with—chairs?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "God! You are clever!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Then it is true."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, yes; it is true. He hurried on, fearing that she might interrupt him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I wanted to spare you knowledge of that. Fortune has placed in my hands a weapon. I am using it for both our sakes. Between our two selves, my dearest, I can admit to you that I should not really ruin your father. What an idea!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then you are bluffing?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I am. I want you so desperately."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If mother knew——"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She need not know. Your father will climb down at the last moment. He knows, and Tomlin knows, that I can ruin both of them."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s as bad as that?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes. He must surrender!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But if he shouldn’t? Jim, dear, you said last night that you would take me as I am; and I loved you for saying that. Now, you want to bargain for me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "To bargain for you, darling; not for myself."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gracious!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Try to be sensible about this,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s so exciting. Don’t you see that this is a test of father, a wonderful test!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Of what?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of his love for me, of his love for mother."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Eh?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Don’t be dense, Jim! Mother has accused father of not caring much for us; but, if he risks ruin for our sake, he does care."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Pooh! He’s bluffing, too!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I am not certain of that. Anyway —her face cleared; she beamed at him delightfully—"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I should like you to make good, Jim, without horrid threats, without bluffing. Take me as I am, if you want me. You can earn a good living anywhere. I’m not afraid of a little poverty with you."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You don’t know what poverty is, Posy. I do. I’m afraid of poverty for the woman I care about."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Do you mean that you refuse to take me as I am?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hang it all! I shall have to take your mother, too. Posy, we haven’t time to argue this. Hunsaker will be here directly. Luck has thrust into my hands a tremendous lever; and I mean to use it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is that your last word?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, it is. I’m fighting for you, fighting to a finish. And ever since the world began, women have had to look on at such a fight——"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And take the winner?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I shall be the winner!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Come up and tell father so."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Right!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mother and I will look on."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Where’s father?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Busy with Mabel Dredge. I’ll fetch him."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, my girl?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s to be a fight to a finish for me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Damn!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Joe, you take my advice; let the girl have the man she wants. S’elp me, if one o’ my daughters took a shine to him, she should have him! You’re fairly downed, old man, and you know it. This Hunsaker will be here before we can turn round!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He is here,"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A middle-aged gentleman is with him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ho!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Go downstairs, and bring these gentlemen up here!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You mean that, sir?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Of course I mean it! Scoot!"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Better give in, Joe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Never!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We can’t face the music, if he squeals."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can. He addressed the company generally, in a fierce voice:"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You mark what I say—all of you. I’d sooner be ruined, lock, stock, and barrel, than give my daughter to that man!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What are you waiting for? he demanded."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Do as I tell you. Ask Mr. Hunsaker and his friend, with my compliments, to come here!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’ll retire."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No, you don’t, Tom Tomlin! Shoulder to shoulder with me, old man, till the last shot is fired!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I wish I knew what it is all about,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Maybe Posy and I had better leave you?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Please yourselves,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As they are fighting for me, said Posy,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’ll stay."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve looked on all my life, and I can do it a little longer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Daddy!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Too late to say you’re sorry now, my girl!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But I’m not sorry. I’m ever so glad. Whether you are right or wrong about Jim, it is everything—yes, everything—to me to know that you really meant what you said just now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, sir, a sanctuary; and not a thing in it for sale!"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Mr. Quinney, this is Mr. Dupont Jordan."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Glad to see you, Mr. Jordan, said Quinney. He waved his hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My wife and daughter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mr. Jordan has honoured me with his patronage."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Mr. Jordan is interested in my chairs. He wants to see ’em. What he doesn’t know about Chippendale furniture you could put into a mustard-seed and hear it rattle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Dear me! said Susan."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That’s a pity. The chairs are cased, I believe."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Not all of them, said James."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "One chair is still unpacked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Good, said he."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Go and fetch the chair, James."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Fetch it here, sir?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At once, my lad."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Is it true, Mr. Jordan, that you bought the Pevensey chairs from Lark and Bundy?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Quite true, Mr. Quinney. That is why I wish so particularly to see Mr. Hunsaker’s set, which I understand are like mine."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m sorry."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sorry?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sorry, sir, that so busy a man should have come here. The chairs are like the Pevensey chairs, but they are not authentic specimens. I told Mr. Hunsaker that we dealers was done sometimes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Often,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yesterday afternoon, Mr. Tomlin and I discovered that these chairs are not what they appear to be. He moved to his desk."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Here is your cheque, Mr. Hunsaker. I return it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Suffering Moses!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I am sorry, said Quinney,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Finest fakes I ever saw in all my life,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "By the Lord, sir, I’m proud to know you. You’re the straight goods."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Give us time, said Tomlin,"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We dealers are prepared to pay for our mistakes, but we don’t want ’em made public."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You can bet your boots, Mr. Tomlin, that this mistake won’t be made public by me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Nor by me,"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now, Mr. Jordan, will you kindly pass judgment on this chair?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Stay you here, my lad."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Wonderful bit of fake work, Mr. Jordan, isn’t it?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Half-and-half, I call it,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, said Jordan slowly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This leg is genuine, I should say, and that isn’t. Under a strong glass one would perceive the difference."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Is this young man ill?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh no, said Quinney."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’s upset, that’s what he is, and no wonder! I’ll say this for him, he’s a clever lad; and he always had his doubts about them chairs, didn’t you, James?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, replied the unhappy James,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That’ll do, my boy. Take away that chair. I feel ill when I look at it. Case it up. We’ll send the lot back to Ireland this afternoon."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The needlework is beautiful,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Nothing more to be said,"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Nothing more to be said! he repeated."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’ve something to say, and I want to get it off my chest quick. You’re a dead square man, Mr. Quinney, and, by thunder, I’ll make it my business that you don’t lose by this. My friends are going to hear of you, sir. And some of ’em will weigh in downstairs with cheques as big as this. He waved the slip of paper excitedly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I ain’t sure that I ought to take this. I bought the chairs after careful examination. I wanted to buy them, and you were not over keen about selling. I remember that."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I couldn’t let you have those chairs, Mr. Hunsaker. Tear up that cheque!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m hanged if I will! I want to take back to Hunsaker a souvenir of a great morning. Can’t you let me have something else for this?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, by Gum! I can. And I’ll leave it to Mr. Jordan. You can have anything in this room you fancy at a price to be set on it by him."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Anything?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Anything,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ll remember that, sir. Now, Mr. Jordan, do me the favour to select some object in this sanctuary for which you would pay eleven hundred pounds or more."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You insist?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I shall be under the greatest obligations to you and Mr. Quinney."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I would gladly give eleven hundred pounds for this,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Will you accept that, Mr. Quinney?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Um! There are memories connected with that cabinet, Mr. Hunsaker, which make me willing to part with it. It’s yours."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s mine."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Good-day, Mr. Quinney. I hope to become one of your customers, and to send you some of my friends."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’m fixing up that dinner and play, Miss Posy, so it won’t be good-bye. _Au revoir_?"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Joe, he said,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’ve always wondered how a man without education could win your position in the trade. Now I know."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Honesty pays, Tom, sometimes. Which reminds me of that cheque I gave you. Hand it over, old man!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Am I entitled to a com. on the sale of that lac cabinet?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As between man and man you are not, but when it comes to furnishin’ the great and growin’ town of Hunsaker with fancy bits, why you shan’t be left out in the cold."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So long,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You hang on to Joe, ma’am. He’ll make you Lady Quinney yet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Send up James Miggott,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Father!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wait! James is coming."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah, Joe, you’re going to forgive them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Forgive—him? I ain’t settled with James yet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He was only bluffing, faltered Posy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He told me so."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Did he?"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Stand you there, my lad!"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So you was bluffing—hey?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Posy knew that I wouldn’t injure you, sir."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And you thought I was bluffing, but I wasn’t. I’d sooner go to gaol—yes, I would—than see you married to my daughter. And why? Because you’re after things."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I want Posy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I see no margin of profit for Posy if you want her, and nothing else."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Posy wants me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No, you’re wrong, my lad. Posy wants the man she thinks you to be, not the man you are."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You ain’t a judge of quality yet, he said to her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This young feller is a fake. Don’t shake your pretty head! He’s not good enough for you, and that’s why I forbid the banns. Your pore mother thinks it’s a matter of pounds, shillings, and pence with me. Well, I know the value of money, because I’ve made it. Money can buy nearly everything and everybody. Money can buy you, Posy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It can’t."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It can buy you from him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "James Miggott——"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sir?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You have stolen something which is mine. I’ll buy it back at my own price."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You can’t buy Posy from me?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Have you settled yet with Mabel Dredge?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What do you mean, sir?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It seems, my lad, that Mabel Dredge wants you, and you wanted her before Posy came back from school. Took all she had to give, too."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You were mean enough to break with her, when my girl appeared, but she didn’t break with you. As a moral millionaire, James Miggott, you’re—bust!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He stole the roses from her pore cheeks! Oh, the everlasting wickedness of some men!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And, oh! the everlasting foolishness of some women! Mabel Dredge still wants him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It isn’t true."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Pah! said Quinney."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You’re nicely decorated, and there’s a smooth buttery glaze to you, but your paste is rotten! Now, let’s get to business. Posy and her mother think that I value things more than persons. Here —he snatched up Hunsaker’s cheque—"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The cheque won’t be on offer long, my lad. Better take it! Better take it! It’s—endorsed."
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Better take it—quick!"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You are—wonderful!"
}
]
|
50596 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Come you here, Posy, said Quinney."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Come to your old dad, my pretty!"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve paid more for you, Posy, than any thing I’ve got. And I shall hold tight on to you till Mr. Right comes along. You’ll know him when you see him, missy, because of this nasty little experience with Mr. Wrong."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You do love me, don’t you?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "By God, he answered,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I do."
}
]
|
193170 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My dear Knolle"
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Man-Size,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Gunsight Pass,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tangled Trails,"
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A Spunky Li'l' Devil 7 III. Pals 12 IV. Clipped Wings 17 V. June asks Questions 25 VI."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Don't You Touch Him! 33 VII. An Elopement 41 VIII. Blister Gives Advice 50 IX. The White Feather 58 X. In the Image of God 68 XI. June Prays 76 XII. Mollie Takes Charge 86 XIII. Bear Cat Asks Questions 93 XIV. Houck Takes a Ride 100 XV. A Scandal Scotched 106 XVI. Blister as Deus ex Machina 110 XVII. The Back of a Bronc 117 XVIII. The First Day 123 XIX. Dud Qualifies as Court Jester 127 XX."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The Bigger the Hat the Smaller the Herd 135 XXI. June Discovers a New World 141 XXII. An Alternative Proposed and Declined 145 XXIII. Bob Crawls his Hump Sudden 150 XXIV. In the Saddle 158 XXV. The Rio Blanco puts in a Claim 162 XXVI. Cutting Sign 171 XXVII. Partners in Peril 179 XXVIII. June is Glad 189 XXIX."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Injuns 194 XXX. A Recruit Joins the Rangers 200 XXXI."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Don't you like me any more? 207 XXXII. A Cup of Cold Water 214 XXXIII."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Keep A-Comin', Red Haid"
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Come in."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Pete Tolliver live here?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes. He's lookin' after the stock. Be in soon, likely."
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You Pete's girl?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You've grown. Knew you when you was learnin' to crawl."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In Brown's Park?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You done said it. He smiled, not pleasantly, she thought."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I'm a real old friend of yore father."
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My li'l' baby, don't you be scared of yore paw."
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You sure look glad to see me, Pete, and us such old friends too. Le's see, I ain't seen you since--since--"
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ain't you going to introduce yore old pal to the girl?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "June, meet Mr. Houck."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Old side pardners, ain't we, Pete?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Branded a heap of cattle, you 'n' me. Eh, Pete? The stranger settled deeper in the chair."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Jake Houck an' you could talk over old times all night. We was frolicsome colts."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Put off yore hat and wash up, Jake. You'll stay to-night, o' course."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Don't mind if I do. I'm headed for Glenwood. Reckon I'd better put the horse up first."
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How old's yore girl?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How old are you, June?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Going on sixteen,"
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A SPUNKY LI'L' DEVIL"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Be back soon, girl."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What's it to me?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "More'n you think. I've took a fancy to you. When I come back I'll talk business."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With Father maybe. Not with me. You've got no business to talk over with me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Think so? Different here. Take a good look at me, June Tolliver."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What for? Her glance traveled over him disdainfully to the hound puppy chasing its tail. She felt a strange excitement drumming in her veins."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I've seen folks a heap better worth lookin' at."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Because I'm tellin' you to. His big hand caught her chin and swung it back."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Because I'm figurin' on marryin' you right soon."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Take yore hand off'n me. D'you hear?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You're a spunky li'l' devil. Suits me fine. Jake Houck never did like jog-trotters in harness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Lemme go,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Not now, nor ever. You're due to wear the Houck brand, girl."
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I get a kiss for that, you vixen."
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hit me again if you like, and I'll c'lect my pay prompt,"
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Who is that man?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Why, didn't I tell you, honey--Jake Houck?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I don't want to know his name. I want to know who he is--all about him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Jake's a cowman. His voice was apologetic."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I seen you didn't like him. He's biggity, Jake is."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He's the most hateful man I ever saw,"
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, he's a sure enough toughfoot,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When did you know him?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We was ridin' together, a right long time ago."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Where?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Up around Rawlins--thataway."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He said he knew you in Brown's Park."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I might 'a' knowed him there too. Come to think of it, I did. Punchers drift around a heap. Say, how about dinner? You got it started? I'm gettin' powerful hungry."
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What you doin'?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, jes' watchin' the grass grow."
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A man stayed up to the house last night,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I hate him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Shucks! That don't do any good. It don't buy you anything."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Don't you hate the men at the camp when they knock you around?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What'd be the use? I duck outa the way next time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ain't you got any sand in yore craw, Bob Dillon? Do you aim to let folks run on you all yore life? I'd fight 'em if 't was the last thing I ever did."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Different here. I'd get my block knocked off about twice a week. You don't see me in any scraps where I ain't got a look-in. I'd rather let 'em boot me a few,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You're right queer. If I was a man--"
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This man--who is he?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Jake Houck. I never saw him till last night. My father knew him when--when he was young."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What's the matter with this Houck? Why don't you like him?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If you'd see him--how he looks at me. She flashed to anger."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As if I was something he owned and meant to tame."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, well, you know the old sayin', a cat may look at a king. He can't harm you."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Can't he? How do you know he can't?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How can he, come to that?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I don't say he can. Looked at in cold blood, through the eyes of another, the near-panic that had seized her a few hours earlier appeared ridiculous."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But I don't have to like him, do I? He acted--hateful--if you want to know."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How d'you mean--hateful?"
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Mean, she said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A low-down, mean bully."
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I reckon Mr. Tolliver won't let this Houck bully _you_ none,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I ain't scared of him,"
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If there was anything I could do--but o' course there ain't."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No, she agreed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, well, I'm not worryin'. I'll show him when he comes back. I'm as big as he is behind a gun."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Are you sure enough afraid of him?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He said he was coming back to marry me--good as said I could like it or lump it, he didn't care which."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sho! Tha's jus' talk. No girl has to marry a man if she don't want to. You don't need any gun-play. He can't make his brags good if you won't have him. It's a free country."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If he told you to do something--this Jake Houck--you wouldn't think it was so free,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, I don't expect he's liable to tell me to do anything. He ain't ever met up with me. I gotta go peel the spuds for supper. Don't you worry, June. He's bluffin'."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I reckon,"
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Right pretty, my dear, but don't you spread them wings an' leave yore man alone."
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Here's yore shoe, sweetheart,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All right. If it ain't yore shoe I'll take it along with me. So long."
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "he said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Back again, eh?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yep. Finished my business. I got to have a talk with you, Pete."
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sure. I know how fond you are of me, Pete. You're plumb glad to see me again, ain't you? Jes' a-honin' to talk over old times, I'll bet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I'd as lief forget them days, Jake, Tolliver confessed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I done turned over another chapter, as you might say. No need rakin' them up, looks like."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tha's up to you, Pete. Me, I aim to be reasonable. I ain't throwin' off on my friends. All I want's to make sure they _are_ my friends. Pete, I've took a fancy to yore June. I reckon I'll fix it up an' marry her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why, Jake, you're old enough to be her father,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Maybe I am. But if there's a better man anywheres about I'd like to meet up with him an' have him show me. I ain't but forty-two, Pete, an' I can whip my weight in wild cats."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She's only a kid, Jake, not thinkin' none about gettin' married. In a year or two, maybe--"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I'm talkin' about now, Pete--this week."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What does she say? You spoke of it to her?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sure. She'll like it fine when she gets her mind used to it. I know how to handle women, Pete. I'm mentionin' this to you because I want you to use yore influence. See?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why, I don't reckon I could very well do that. A girl's got to make up her own mind. She's too young to be figurin' on marryin'. Better give her time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No. Houck flung the word out like an oath."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now. Right away."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You was sayin' yoreself, Jake, that she'd have to get used to it. Looks like it wouldn't be good to rush--"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She can get used to it after we're married."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "O' course I want to do what's right by my li'l' June. You do too for that matter. We wouldn't either one of us do her a meanness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I'm going to marry her,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When a girl loses her mother she's sure lost her best friend. It's up to her paw to see she gets a square deal. There was a quaver of emotion in Tolliver's voice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I don't reckon he can make up to her--"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Are you tryin' to tell me that Pete Tolliver's girl is too good for me? Is that where you're driftin'?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now don't you get mad, Jake, the older man pleaded."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "These here are different times. I don't want my June mixed up with--with them Brown's Park days an' all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Meanin' me?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You're twistin' my words, Jake, the father went on, an anxious desire to propitiate frowning out of the wrinkled face."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I ain't sayin' a word against you. I'm explainin' howcome I to feel like I do. Since I--bumped into that accident in the Park--"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What accident?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why--when I got into the trouble--"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You mean when Jas Stuart caught you rustlin' an' you murdered him an' went to the pen. That what you mean?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "S-sh! She don't know a thing about it. You recollect I told you that."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "An' o' course she don't know you broke jail at Cañon City an' are liable to be dragged back if any one should happen to whisper to the sheriff."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not a thing about all that. I wouldn't holler it out thataway if I was you, Jake, Tolliver suggested, glancing nervously toward the house."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Maybe I ought to 'a' told her, but I never did. Her maw died of it, an' I jes' couldn't make out to tell June. You see yoreself how it would be, Pete. Her a li'l' trick with nobody but me. I ain't no great shakes, but at that I'm all she's got. I figured that 'way off here, under another name, they prob'ly never would find me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Pretty good guess, Pete Purdy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Don' call me that,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I forgot. What I was sayin' was that nobody knows you're here but me. Most folks have forgot all about you. You can fix things so 's to be safe enough."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You wouldn't give me away, Jake. You was in on the rustlin' too. We was pals. It was jes' my bad luck I met up with Jas that day. I didn't begin the shooting. You know that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I ain't likely to give away my own father-in-law, am I?"
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What is it, honey?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He's got my shoe. I want it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I'll take it to her,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So it's yore shoe after all,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Give it here,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Say pretty please."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You're the meanest man I ever did meet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "An' you're the prettiest barelegged dancer on the Creek,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Are you going to give me that brogan or not?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If you'll let me put it on for you."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Here's yore shoe, girl. I was only foolin',"
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What do you mean? she demanded."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What is it you claim to know about Dad all so big?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ask him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What'll I ask? I wouldn't believe anything you told me about him. He's not like you. He's good."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You don't have to believe me. Ask him if he ever knew any one called Pete Purdy. Ask him who Jasper Stuart was. An' where he lived whilst you was stayin' with yore aunt at Rawlins."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I ain't afraid to, she retorted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I'll do it right now."
}
]
|
26520 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dad, did you ever know a man named Pete Purdy?"
}
]
|
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