human
Be unafraid, my son, quoth he.
gpt
If your heart is full speak into my listening ear and may a blessing fall on your confession. Then fashioning a trumpet with his two hands he bellowed like a fog horn:
human
Becky! A drop of whiskey hot for the gent. And while the refreshment was being procured he observed parenthetically:
gpt
A nice little piece, ain't she? Very smart and dossy. Come on, Smith, my boy--my jolly old beau--dear old cracker, soak up the juice of the barley and expound the tale of woe.
human
Hm! Worth trying anyway, he agreed.
gpt
What do you want me to do?
human
Take over my place at Clyst St. Mary. Can't explain why but I've a sort of notion things may happen there. It's a queer household--lot of smart girls looking after an old woman--Barraclough's mother.
gpt
What's she like?
human
Never got near enough to find out. Decent enough old thing. Goes to church a lot.
gpt
Shrewd?
human
Never struck me so at a distance. Might be anything--bit of a fool--mostly are--that old country sort.
gpt
Goes to church, does she. His eyes travelled over Harrison Smith's black garments.
human
Why didn't you call?
gpt
Didn't strike me. Fancy she knows very little.
human
said Bolt,
gpt
I might do the clergyman stunt myself in those parts. I've got some stuff. A bit of the old Wesley--'Quiet harbourage from the turmoil of city life, my dear lady. An occasional hour in your beautiful garden.' That's the ticket.
human
Then get off straight away. There's a train at five a.m. from Waterloo. You can have my room at the pub. I'll give you a note to the proprietor.
gpt
And assuming I meet brother Barraclough?
human
Get him, responded Harrison Smith laconically.
gpt
Make as little fuss as possible but get him.
human
Trust me, he said.
gpt
Anything else you want?
human
That chap Dirk, he said.
gpt
Could you find him for me?
human
Sure.
gpt
Then tell him to meet me at Paddington tomorrow morning 9.50.
human
Right.
gpt
And you might lend me that bunch of spring-lock keys.
human
Going to have a squint at that guide book?
gpt
Going to have a try,
human
Pleasure to work with you, Smith, said he.
gpt
Yes indeed. Though it's a bit risky putting one over on the Dutchman. He fell into a thick, guttural
human
S'bad--s'bad pizness. Dese servants wass ver' insubordinate. S'bad. Well, good luck, ole boy.