human
Gideon Wolf, I said, in as gentle a tone as I could command,
gpt
I have fully considered, he said, with gracious arrogance;
human
I am quite prepared.
gpt
There are so many things, I said, laughing inwardly,
human
Do not speak of such a calamity, he said, in a broken voice;
gpt
And I might leave them to you! I cried, in the tone of a man upon whom a blessed inspiration had fallen.
human
I might make a will, constituting you my heir! True, true that would be the best way--by far the best way.
gpt
You are too good, my master, he said, drawing his breath quickly.
human
You think of everything. It would never have occurred to me.
gpt
How could such a thing be possible? I cried, in assumed indignation at the injustice he was doing himself.
human
You are the last person who would calculate upon gaining anything by my death. But still consider, Gideon, what you might be throwing away by tying yourself to me. You have seen but little of the world, and you do not know how many lonely rich men there are who would gladly throw themselves into your arms if you made them understand what you are ready to sacrifice for them.
gpt
Why waste more time? he asked, with a complacent glance at that portion of my stock which was displayed to attract customers--among which were six fine fat gold lever watches, eighteen-carat hunters; six others, open-faced; four lady's dainty toys, with enamelled cases, set with diamonds a couple of dozen silver watches, with perfect movements and one marvel of workmanship, which told not only the time but the day of the year, the name and date of the month, and the changes of the moon. Then there was a fine collection of trinkets, chains, and rings, brooches, and the like, all paid for with the labor of my hands. And Gideon Wolf was standing beneath the fruitful vines, with his mouth wide open, waiting for the grapes to fall into it. But he was not the only fox in the world who met with disappointment.
human
Why waste more time? he asked.
gpt
I am a man to be trusted, and what I mean I say. After all the years I have passed in your house, it would be black ingratitude in me to desert you in your old age.
human
Am I so very old, Gideon?
gpt
You are not young, Master Fink.
human
But I feel sometimes as if I still had a little strength left in me; I do indeed, Gideon.
gpt
The strongest are cut down when they least expect it,
human
There is Anna, I said;
gpt
Of what use are women? exclaimed Gideon, scornfully.
human
They are mere playthings.
gpt
Alas, for poor Katrine! and then said,
human
You have no cause of complaint against me, Gideon. You have been well and justly treated in my house. You acknowledge it?
gpt
Yes, Master Fink, I acknowledge it.
human
You do not, I am sure, harbor any uncharitableness towards your old master.
gpt
I should despise myself if I did.
human
Fair wages all the time you were my apprentice, Gideon. This home is not to be despised. It is not a palace, it is true, but it is better than many palaces. The rain does not come through the roof and your bed--it is a comfortable bed, Gideon?
gpt
Yes, it is a comfortable bed.
human
Then Anna is a good cook--one in a thousand. You have always had plenty to eat.
gpt
I have nothing to complain of, Master Fink, nothing whatever. You have been a good and kind master, and I am going to show my gratitude. It is a bargain--you consent to my proposition. We commence from this day.
human
Nay, I said, deeming it time to end the comedy;
gpt
and I rose and made him a low bow, just the kind of bow I made to Pretzel the Miser a good many years before, when he came into my shop, ready to strip me of every stick I possessed.
human
I will never consent to the sacrifice; it would be a reproach to me all my life. No, Gideon, I will not be adopted as your father; I will bear my burden alone. You shall grow rich in an easier way; you will find it, I make no doubt, for you are a sharp customer. Perhaps Miser Pretzel will make you his heir. Gideon's face, at the mention of Pretzel's name, was as white as milk, and I was confirmed in a suspicion which had crossed my mind, that Pretzel had a hand in counselling him to the end he wished to gain.
gpt
He is rolling in money--and so very, very generous! He once tried to do me a good turn. Or perhaps the invisible gentleman you play cards with in the middle of the night may, some time or other, lose a large sum of money to you, and bring it to you in a number of sacks. How wonderful that would be, would it not? So let what has been spoken between us be forgotten, as though it had never happened. And when you are rich, I said, closing the book in which his account was entered, and giving it a little tap,