human
Well, Paddy, how do you like coming to sea?
gpt
I've not yet formed an opinion,
human
True, my boy; Cork harbour is not the Atlantic, he remarked.
gpt
We may chance to see the waves running mountains high when we get there, and all the things tumbling about like shuttlecocks.
human
I'll be content to wait until I see that same to form an opinion, I answered.
gpt
As I've come to sea, I shall be glad to witness whatever takes place there.
human
You're not to be caught, I perceive, he said.
gpt
Well, Paddy, and how do you like your name?
human
Faith, I'm grateful to you and my other messmates for giving it, I answered.
gpt
I'm not ashamed of the name, and I hope to have the opportunity of making it known far and wide some day or other; and now may I ask you what's your name, for I haven't had the pleasure of hearing it.
human
Thomas Pim,
gpt
Come, that's short enough, anyhow,
human
Yes; but when I first came aboard, the mess declared it was too long, so they cut off the `h' and the `as' and `m' and called me Tom Pi; but even then they were not content, for they further docked it of its fair proportions, and decided that I was to be named Topi, though generally I'm called simply Pi.
gpt
Do you mind it?
human
Not a bit, he answered.
gpt
It suits my size, I confess; for, to tell you the truth, I'm older than I look, and have been three years at sea.
human
I thought you had only just joined,