human
I should like for us to make an excursion right up the river as far as we could go in the boats, said Rodd one evening, to his French companion.
gpt
Uncle wants to go.
human
Then why don't you? said Morny.
gpt
You have plenty of time, he added, with a sigh,
human
They are not going on slowly, retorted Rodd.
gpt
I talked to Captain Chubb about it, and he said the work must be thoroughly done, so as to make the brig as good as ever she was.
human
Yes, they are doing it well,
gpt
He said--
human
Well, why don't you go on?
gpt
Oh, never mind. You wouldn't like it. You are sensitive, and it might hurt your feelings.
human
I promise you it shall not. Tell me what the captain said.
gpt
Well, he said he wasn't going to have any Frenchmen throw it in his teeth that he hadn't done his best because it was a French boat, and that he was taking more pains over it than he should have done if it had been ours.
human
Oh yes, he said,
gpt
I know he is doing his best, and I wouldn't care, only my father is so anxious to get to sea again.
human
Well, all in good time, cried Rodd.
gpt
They are fitting the copper sheathing on again, and to-morrow they will begin careening the brig over so as to get at the other side.
human
Ha! Yes, said the French lad, with a sigh of satisfaction.
gpt
Well, you take your boat to-morrow, and plenty of men and ammunition, and go on a good long excursion.
human
Shan't,
gpt
But why not?
human
Aren't going without you.
gpt
What nonsense! I'm busy. You are free.
human
I am not. If we went away leaving you alone with a brig that won't swim, who knows what would happen? The crocs would send the news all up and down the river that we were gone away, and come on at you with a rush.
gpt
That's absurd! You talk like a boy.
human
Well, I am one. Yes, that is nonsense. But suppose a whole tribe of niggers came down out of the forest to attack you.
gpt
They couldn't. You know yourself that the forest is impassable except to wild beasts.
human
Well, then, perhaps they would come down, or up--yes, up; they wouldn't come down, and find you helpless, because we should meet them and come back to help you.
gpt
We could fight, said Morny coolly,
human
What, when they are fast lashed to one side, and your deck all of a slope? No, we are not going, so don't bother about it any more. Who knows but what there may be towns of savages right up inland, or up some other river farther along the coast? I dare say it's a beautiful country--and there, I won't hear another word. We are not going away to leave you in the lurch. Uncle said as much. He likes the Count too well.
gpt
Why, he said,
human
Stuff! cried Rodd indignantly.
gpt
That's only Uncle Paul's way. He always talks like that when he gets on to politics. Why, I have a sham quarrel with him sometimes about Napoleon. I pretend that I admire him very much.
human
Pretend!
gpt
Well, I tell uncle that he was a very great general and soldier.
human
Yes, yes! Grand!
gpt
And that I shouldn't have wondered at all if he had conquered the whole world.
human
Yes, yes! cried Morny excitedly.
gpt
That was brave of you! And what did your uncle say?
human
Said I was a young scoundrel, and that if I wasn't so big, and that he disliked corporal punishment, he'd give me a good thrashing to bring me to my senses.
gpt
And you--you-- cried Morny, grasping him by the arm,
human
Nothing at all. Only burst out laughing.
gpt
Burst out laughing?
human
Yes, and then Uncle Paul would grunt out `Humbug!' and we were good friends again.
gpt
Ah, yes, he said.
human
Even those who worshipped him mock at the Emperor now that he is in misfortune--even you, Rodd. But I can forgive you, because you are English and the natural enemies of our great Emperor. But those of our countrymen--cowards and slaves--parasites of the new King. _Laches_! Cowards! But let us talk of something else. You make me like you, Rodd. You always did, and--
gpt
Ah-h-h! Getting on dangerous ground. Now look here; will you come with us shooting?
human
No. I have told you why.
gpt
Well, I am horribly disappointed. But I like you for it all the more, Morny. You are a regular trump to your father.
human
I! cried the young man fiercely.
gpt
I play the trumpet to my father! Never! If I praise him it is all the truth, because he is so honest and brave and good.
human
Why, what's the matter now? cried Rodd in astonishment.
gpt
Oh, I see-- trump! You don't know all our English expressions yet. Where's your dictionary?
human
There was no such word in it that I do not understand,
gpt
Then it isn't a good one,