human
I have to cycle home,
gpt
To-night?
human
No. This morning.
gpt
All the way to Axe?
human
Oh, no! I’m three miles this side of Axe. It’s only six and a half miles.
gpt
But all those hills!
human
Pooh! Excellent for the muscles of the calf.
gpt
Do you live alone, Mr. Ingpen?
human
I have a sort of housekeeper.
gpt
In a cottage?
human
In a cottage.
gpt
But what do you _do_--all alone?
human
I cultivate myself.
gpt
How wise you are!
human
Rather inconvenient, being out there, isn’t it?
gpt
It may be inconvenient sometimes for my job. But I can’t help that. I give the State what I consider fair value for the money it pays me, and not a grain more. I’ve got myself to think about. There are some things I won’t do, and one of them is to live all the time in a vile hole like the Five Towns. I won’t do it. I’d sooner be a blooming peasant on the land.
human
You’re quite right as to the vile hole,
gpt
I don’t know---- Edwin muttered.
human
I think old Bosley isn’t so bad.
gpt
Yes. But you’re an old stick-in-the-mud, dearest, said Hilda.
human
Mr. Ingpen has lived away from the district, and so have I. You haven’t. You’re no judge. We know, don’t we, Mr. Ingpen?