human
Have you ever wished I were dead? he asked, abruptly.
gpt
Don't be afraid to answer!
human
In moments of anger or weakness, I began tentatively,
gpt
I may--once or twice. . . .
human
Ah! That's nothing!
gpt
What I mean is this, George, he went on.
human
Have you ever wished me dead because of my money?
gpt
You've never thought how much better off you'll be when I'm dead and gone? Never wished I'd--get a move on?
human
Naturally, I've realized that you'd leave most of your money to me, but I've never . . .
gpt
Then you must be different from everyone else. The young are always waiting for the old to die and leave them something.
human
That is rather sweeping!
gpt
Nonsense! Don't be a hypocrite. I had just the same inclination when I was young--at any rate about distant relatives--like yourself and me, for instance.
human
That is no reason why you should accuse me of such sentiments,
gpt
It is only telling you that you're human.
human
Well? I said.
gpt
What's the object of all this palaver?
human
That's what I'm coming to. We can take it for granted that even if you're not anxious for me to . . . pack up, you won't be very sorry when I _have_ gone.
gpt
Mind, I'm not such a fool as to blame you, for I do realize these things. So I intend altering them. I'm going to turn your inclination the other way. Not only will you _want_ me to live, but it's going to be made positively worth your while.
human
My plan is quite simple, he resumed.
gpt
I intend going on with this experiment and having some new glands grafted, but I must have your help--your interest--your enthusiasm behind me. It is necessary at my age to depend on someone's youthful and active support. So the day when the operation is declared successful you will receive five thousand dollars in cash.
human
I'm a much wealthier man than you have ever imagined, George--and we'll both begin to take advantage of the fact at once. Twenty years ago, when I went to end my days in peace under your grandfather's hospitable roof, I was worth close on two hundred thousand dollars. That's a good deal . . . but, wait!
gpt
I intended leaving him everything when I died, but . . . the fates arranged otherwise. Then I came to live with you, when he was gone. And here I am--still spared--and with the money still growing. My expenditure was small; for, after all, there was little I wanted at my age beyond an easy chair by the fireside . . . food and comfort . . . and tobacco, of course. So it came about that nearly every penny of my dividends has been reinvested during the last twenty years, and to-day I'm worth . . . what do you think?