human
Is it?
gpt
Different people look at it differently, said Anderson,
human
Is it nicer to be a man than it was to be a boy?
gpt
That, also, is a matter of opinion,
human
You can do lots of things that a boy can't, said Eddy.
gpt
You can smoke, and you can keep store, and have all the candy you want.
human
Sam! called Anderson; and when the young clerk's grinning face appeared at the door,
gpt
Will you bring some of those peppermint-drops here for this young man.
human
I'd rather have chocolates, if you can't sell 'em any better than the peppermint-drops,
gpt
These are bully, said he.
human
I should think as long as you can have all the chocolates you want, you'd rather eat those than smoke a pipe.
gpt
It is a matter of taste,
human
I'm always going to eat chocolates instead of smoking, said Eddy.
gpt
He gave me a lot. Say, I don't see how a boy can steal candy, do you?
human
No. It is very wrong,
gpt
You bet 'tis. I knew a boy in New York State, where we used to live before we came here, that stole candy 'most every day, and he used to bring it to school and give the other boys. He used to give me much as a pound a day. Some days he used to give me much as five pounds. Then Eddy Carroll, after delivering himself of this statement, could not get his young, black eyes away from the fixed regard of the man's keen, blue ones, and he began to wriggle as to his body, with his eyes held firm by that unswerving gaze.
human
What you looking at me that way for? he stammered.
gpt
I don't think you're very polite.
human
How much candy did that boy give you every day?
gpt
Well, maybe he didn't give me more 'n half a pound,
human
How much?
gpt
Well, maybe it wasn't more 'n a quarter. I don't know.
human
How much?
gpt
Well, maybe it might have been three pieces; it was a good many years ago. A fellow can't remember everything.
human
How much?
gpt
One piece.
human
How much?
gpt
Well, maybe it wasn't any at all, Eddy burst out, in desperation,
human
Now about that boy?
gpt
Oh, shucks, there wasn't any boy, I s'pose. Eddy gazed resentfully and admiringly at the man.
human
Say, he said, without the slightest sarcasm, rather with affection and perfect seriousness,
gpt
Yes, you are awful smart, declared Eddy.
human
Is it because you used to be a lawyer that you are so smart?
gpt
The law may make a difference in a man's skill for finding out the truth,
human
Say, said the boy,
gpt
I've been thinking all along that when I was a man I would rather be a grocer than anything else, but I don't know but I'd rather be a lawyer, after all. It would be so nice to be able to find out when folks were not telling the truth, and trying to hide when they had been stealing and doing bad things. 'No, you don't,' I'd say; 'no, you don't, mister. I see right through you.' I rather think I'd like that better. Say?
human
What is it?
gpt
Why didn't you come to the wedding? I saved a lot of things for you.
human
I told you I thought I should not be able to come. I was very much obliged for the invitation,
gpt
I looked for you till eleven o'clock. You ought to have come, after I took all that trouble to get an invitation for you. I don't think you were very polite.
human
I am very sorry,
gpt
I think you ought to be. You don't know what you missed. Ina looked awful pretty, but Charlotte looked prettier, if she wasn't the bride. Don't you think Charlotte is an awful pretty girl?
human
Very,
gpt
You'd better. I heard her say she thought you was an awful handsome man, the handsomest man in this town. Say, I think Charlotte would like to get married, now Ina is married. I guess she feels kind of slighted. Why don't you marry Charlotte?
human
Wouldn't you like some of those molasses-peppermints, now you have finished the chocolates?
gpt
No, I guess not, thank you. I don't feel very well this morning. Say, why don't you? She's an awful nice girl--honest. And maybe I would come and live with you. I would part of the time, anyway, and I would help in the store.
human
You had better run out and ask Sam to give you some peppermints,
gpt
No, thank you. I'm real obliged, but I guess I don't feel like it now. But I tell you what I had a good deal rather have?
human
What is that?
gpt
What are you going to have for dinner?
human
Now, see here, my son, said Anderson, laughing.
gpt
We are going to have a fine dinner, and I should be exceedingly glad to have you as my guest, but this time there must be no dining with me without your mother's knowledge.
human
Oh, Amy won't care.
gpt
Nevertheless, you must go home and obtain permission before I take you home with me,
human
I don't think you are very polite, said Eddy; but it ended in his presently saying that, well, then, he would go home and ask permission; but it was not of the slightest use.
gpt
They would all want me to stay, if they thought anything of me. I know Amy would. Amy said this morning I was the worst off of them all, because I had such a misfortunate appetite. The boy's ingenuous eyes met the man's fixed upon him with a mixture of amusement and compassion.
human
You see, added Eddy, simply,