human
I cannot help wondering why that poor monkey kept so still all the time we were talking. One would think that it should have been frightened away just as we came under the tree.
gpt
I have no doubt, said I,
human
I'm not so certain that it did not understand, observed Peterkin.
gpt
You know that sailors believe that monkeys could speak if they chose, but they don't for fear that they should be made to work!
human
Well, whatever truth there may be in that, of this I am certain, they are the most deceptive creatures that exist.
gpt
I don't agree with you, rejoined Peterkin.
human
It's my opinion that little boys are the greatest deceivers living.
gpt
What! _all_ little boys!
human
No, not all. I have not so bad an opinion of the race as that. I've had a good deal to do with boys during my naval career, and among the middies of her Majesty's navy I have met with as fine little chaps as one would wish to see--regular bricks, afraid of nothing (except of doing anything that would be thought sneaking or shabby), ready to dare anything--to attack a seventy-four single-handed in a punt or a bumboat if need be; nevertheless, I've met boys, and a good many of them too, who would beat all the monkeys in Africa at sneaking and deceiving. I remember one rascal, who went to the same school with me, who was a wonderfully plausible deceiver. I can't help laughing yet when I think of the curious way he took to free himself of the restraint of school.
gpt
How was it? cried Jack;