human
Curious lot of men they were, he remarked,
gpt
What, Ned? asked the old gentleman.
human
Are you at it yet? That's all right, but I can't let you do too much of it. You must spend all the time you can in the open air. You may read this evening, but to-morrow morning you must go fishing. You may take a book with you.
gpt
I'll take along this one, then, said Ned.
human
I can read between bites.
gpt
That's what I do sometimes, said his grandfather.
human
I think it averages about two books to each fish, but a pike pulled a dictionary overboard for me, once.
gpt
What did he want of a dictionary? asked Ned.
human
Did you hook him?
gpt
Yes, I pulled him in, said the old gentleman,
human
I guess so, said Ned.
gpt
I'm going to find some grasshoppers.
human
They're the right bait, said Grandfather Webb.
gpt
Better than worms. The lake is full of bullheads. So is the wide, wide world. I've been out there, just now, talking to one of 'em. He's an Englishman. He's been beating me out of ten dollars, and he won't understand my explanation of it. He insists on keeping the ten.
human
That's like 'em, said Ned.
gpt
I'd like to conquer England. Uncle Jack says that if I did they'd lock me up in the station-house.
human
That's what they'd do, said his grandfather.
gpt
Anybody that invaded England would be arrested at once. They'd convict him, too, and make him buy something of 'em.
human
I don't care, said Ned,
gpt
I'm going there, some day. It's about the greatest country in the world. I'm going to see London, and the forts, and the ships. The English soldiers and sailors can fight like anything. They can whip anybody but Americans.
human
Come to supper! commanded his grandfather;
gpt
He'd better try that colt in a buggy, next time, said Mrs. Emmons.
human
She's skittish.
gpt
She likes a buggy, remarked Uncle Jack.
human
Pat lent her to one of his best friends, last week, to drive her a mile or so for exercise. She didn't stop short of Centreville Four Corners. The buggy's there, now, in the wagon-shop getting mended, and Nanny came home alone, quiet as a lamb.
gpt
I guess Edward may drive one of the other horses, said his grandmother.
human
Pat'll pick out a quiet one.
gpt
I'd want a buggy, or something, said Ned,
human
Read it! Read it! said his grandfather.
gpt
When you get through with it, you'll know more'n you do now.