human
Was coming before, to meet you and Roger and Phil, said Ben.
gpt
But I had to go out of town on business for dad. How are you all? Say, I hear you are going out West on a ranch. That's great! Going to shoot buffaloes, I suppose.
human
No, hippopotamuses,
gpt
And June bugs,
human
You'll sure have the time of your lives! Wish I was going. But I am booked for the Great Lakes, which isn't bad. Going to take the trip from Buffalo to Duluth and back, you know. But say, I came over to tell you something.
gpt
What is it, Ben?
human
Come on outside.
gpt
It's about Nat Poole, continued Ben Basswood.
human
I guess you had some kind of a run-in with him, didn't you?
gpt
Not exactly, answered Roger.
human
We caught him tormenting Professor Potts and we put a stop to it.
gpt
Well, you had some trouble with Nat's dad, didn't you?
human
Yes, answered Dave.
gpt
Did Nat tell you?
human
No, I know of the whole thing by accident. I had to go to the building where Mr. Poole has his new office. While I was waiting to see a man and deliver a message for my dad I overheard some talk between Mr. Poole and Nat. It was mighty warm, I can tell you!
gpt
What was said?
human
Mr. Poole accused Nat of something and Nat, at first, denied it. Then Mr. Poole said something about arrest, and Professor Potts, and Nat got scared and begged his father to save him. Then Mr. Poole mentioned Dave and a pistol and said he couldn't do anything if that's the way matters stood, and Nat began to beg for dear life, asking his father to let Dave alone this time. At last Mr. Poole said he would, but the way he lectured Nat was a caution. He said he wouldn't give Nat a cent more of spending-money this summer.
gpt
Hurrah, that lets you out, Dave! cried Roger.
human
The case against you is squashed.
gpt
The Pooles will have to let it drop, added the shipowner's son.
human
And I am mighty glad of it.
gpt
I hope you are right,