human
Fortescue, he called out,
gpt
I envy you your champion. You point, Mrs. Temperley, to lofty altitudes. I, as a mere man, cannot pretend to scale them.
human
In this world, where there are so many other evils to combat, one feels that it is more rational to attack the more important first.
gpt
Ah! there is nothing like an evil to bolster up an evil, cried Professor Fortescue;
human
My dear Fortescue, I knew you would have some ingenious excuse for your amiable weaknesses.
gpt
It is easier to find epithets than answers, Theobald, said the Professor with a smile.
human
I confess I wonder at a man of your logical power being taken in with this cheap argument, if argument it can be called.
gpt
It is my attachment to logic that makes me crave for consistency,
human
But do you really mean to tell me that you think it logical to excuse one abuse by pointing to another?
gpt
I think that while there are ill-used women and children, it is certainly inconsistent to consider animals,
human
It does not occur to you that the spirit in man that permits abuse of power over animals is precisely the same devil-inspired spirit that expresses itself in cruelty towards children. Ah, continued Professor Fortescue, shaking his head,
gpt
I can't attempt to combat this hobby of yours, Fortescue.
human
Again a be-littling epithet in place of an argument! But I know of old that on this subject your intellectual acumen deserts you, as it deserts nearly all men. You sink suddenly to lower spiritual rank, and employ reasoning that you would laugh to scorn in connection with every other topic.
gpt
You seem bent on crushing me, exclaimed Theobald.
human
And Mrs. Temperley enjoys seeing me mangled. Talk about cruelty to animals! I call this cold-blooded devilry! Mrs. Temperley, come to my rescue!
gpt
So long as other forms of cruelty can be instanced, Professor Theobald, I don't see how, on your own shewing, you can expect any consistent person to raise a finger to help you,
human
But I consider myself too important and valuable to be made the subject of this harsh treatment.
gpt
That is for others to decide. If it affords us amusement to torment you, and amusement benefits our nerves and digestion, how can you justly object? We must consider the greatest good of the greatest number; and we are twice as numerous as you.
human
You are delicious!