human
By to-night, Jack said, more than once,
gpt
Oh, all of that, Tom assured him;
human
You're the best sort of jollier, Tom, he observed.
gpt
You know how to talk to a fellow who's quivering all over with eagerness and dread. What if something happens to hold up those notices until it's too late for even Colin's big bomber to catch up with the steamer?
human
You're only borrowing trouble when you allow yourself to fear that, was the reply.
gpt
But all the same, I mean to do everything I can to get things hurried along. I'll see the general, and with your permission explain to him that there's great need of our getting word to-day.
human
But, surely, you wouldn't dare hint anything about the big trip we want to take, Tom?
gpt
I should say not! came the immediate response.
human
If we did that, the general would consider it his duty to put his foot down on the mad scheme right away. Trust me to let him know we stand to lose out in something that concerns your whole future if the notifications are delayed beyond early this afternoon, and I'm sure he'll start the wires going to get them here.
gpt
What can I be doing in the meanwhile?
human
You might see to making arrangements for crossing to the coast on the first train that goes out,
gpt
But that's going to be slow traveling, even if we're lucky enough to get aboard, protested the other.
human
Tom, do you think the general would permit us to take our machine, and fly to Dunkirk?
gpt
Good! That's a clever idea you've hit on, Jack! exclaimed the other.
human
I'll take it up with the general when I see him. He might find it _convenient_, you know, to have some message sent across the country to the coast; and it would save us hours of time, perhaps win the race for us. A splendid thought, Jack!
gpt
Then let's hope it can be carried through,