human
D'you mean to say that this is what I fought for? said I.
gpt
For this brute's peaceful possession of Merry Down?
human
Apparently, said my brother-in-law.
gpt
More. It's what Derry Bagot and his boy died for, if you happen to be looking at it that way.
human
It'll break Sir Anthony's heart,
gpt
But I don't understand, said Adèle.
human
How--why is it allowed?
gpt
I must have notice, said Berry,
human
Have you ever heard, said Jonah,
gpt
I think you must have, said Jonah.
human
Some people call it the British Nation. It's been going for years.
gpt
That's right, said I.
human
And its motto is 'Charity begins at Home.' There's really nothing more to be said.
gpt
I could cry, announced Jill, in a voice that fully confirmed her statement.
human
It's just piteous. What would poor Derry say? Can't anything be done?
gpt
If half what I've heard is true, Merry Down is as good as gone. The fellow means to have it, and he's rich enough to buy the county itself. Short of assassination, I don't see what anybody can do. Of course, if you like, you can reproduce him in wax and then stick pins into the image. But that's very old-fashioned, and renders you liable to cremation without the option of a fine. Besides, as a magistrate, I feel it my bounden duty to----
human
I thought witchcraft and witches were out of date,
gpt
Not at all, said Berry.
human
Only last week we bound one over for discussing the housing question with a wart-hog. The animal, which, till then, had been laying steadily, became unsettled and suspicious and finally attacked an inoffensive Stilton with every circumstance of barbarity.
gpt
How awful! said Adèle.
human
You do see life as a magistrate, don't you? And I suppose somebody kissed the wart-hog, and it turned into a French count? You know, it's a shame about you.
gpt
Mocked, he said.
human
And at my own table. With her small mouth crammed with food, for which I shall be called upon to pay, she actually----
gpt
O-o-oh! cried Adèle.
human
It wasn't. Besides, you shouldn't have asked me.
gpt
I can only say, said Berry,
human
Only on your nose, said I.
gpt
All gnarled, that is.
human
There you are, said Berry.
gpt
The slow belly reviles the sage. The----
human
You ought to be ashamed of yourself, said his wife, pushing back her chair.
gpt
And now let's all have coffee on the terrace. That is, unless you three want to stay.