human
What did you stop me for? Couldn't you get out of the way?
gpt
Why were you driving at that breakneck pace?
human
A jack-rabbit bolted right under Volador's feet. I'll get on again if you'll move your buggy.
gpt
Are you open to earn a few dollars?
human
It depends, replied Thorne,
gpt
I'm anxious to get hold of somebody who'll drive me to the settlement. This horse is played out.
human
In that case I'm not open. I'm too busy.
gpt
I'll give you your own price for your time. It will probably pay you better than--selling mirrors.
human
You should have been content with the reason I offered, he retorted.
gpt
As you were not, I'll give you another; I'm not a very particular person, but I shouldn't like to touch your money.
human
Do you think that kind of thing is wise?
gpt
I haven't troubled to ask myself the question. I've never been remarkably prudent, and when I saw that you meant to hold me up my first impulse was to drive smash into your buggy. It was only out of regard for the horses that I didn't do so.
human
Is there any particular reason for this gratuitous insolence?
gpt
There are two, explained Thorne.
human
In the first place, I don't like being stopped on an open trail; and in the next, I've spent the last few days borrowing things for a friend of mine whom you pitched out on to the prairie with his wife and child.
gpt
I might have guessed it was something of that kind. You're rudimentary and haven't the crudest notion of what you have up against you. It would be about as sensible for one of your horses to start kicking because it didn't like your style of driving.
human
That, returned Thorne,
gpt
It's not as dangerous to the people I deal with as yours is,
human
We'll let that pass. I've already stopped here talking with you longer than I care about. Will you pull your buggy out of the way?