human
Danged if I know!
gpt
He hasn't left you, has he?
human
Yes; he's cleared out, the ungrateful young imp! I'd like to lay my hands on the young rascal.
gpt
Was he your son?
human
He was my--stepson,
gpt
I see, you married his mother.
human
Yes, said Tim, considering the explanation satisfactory, and resolved to adopt it.
gpt
I've always treated him as if he was my own flesh and blood, and I've raised him from a young kid. Now he's gone and left me.
human
Can you think of any reason for his leaving you?
gpt
Not one. I always treated him well. He's been a great expense to me, and now he's got old enough to help me he must clear out. He's the most ungrateful cub I ever seen.
human
I am sorry he has gone--I used to like to have him serve me.
gpt
And now what's the consequence? Here I am tied down to the bar day and night.
human
Can't you get some one in his place?
gpt
Yes, but I'd likely be robbed; I had a bartender once who robbed me of two or three dollars a day.
human
But you trusted the boy?
gpt
Yes, Dodger wouldn't steal--I can say that much for him.
human
There's one thing I noticed about the boy, said the colonel, reflectively.
gpt
He wouldn't drink. More than once I have asked him to drink with me, but he would always say, 'Thank you, colonel, but I don't like whiskey.' I never asked him to take anything else, for whiskey's the only drink fit for a gentleman. Do you expect to get the boy back?
human
If I could only get out for a day I'd hunt him up; but I'm tied down here.
gpt
I seed him yesterday, Tim,