human
Hello, uncle Peter, she said.
gpt
What's the trouble?
human
Am I interrupting you, Ann?
gpt
Not a bit. I'm only copying out a story for aunt Nesta. I promised her I would. Would you like to hear some of it?
human
You're missing a good thing, said Ann, turning the pages.
gpt
I'm all worked up over it. It's called 'At Dead of Night,' and it's full of crime and everything. You would never think aunt Nesta had such a feverish imagination. There are detectives and kidnappers in it and all sorts of luxuries. I suppose it's the effect of reading it, but you look to me as if you were trailing something. You've got a sort of purposeful air.
human
I'm only trailing a quiet place to read in. I never saw such a place as this house. It looks big enough outside for a regiment. Yet, when you're inside, there's a poet or something in every room.
gpt
What about the library? Isn't that sacred to you?
human
The boy Ogden's there.
gpt
What a shame!
human
Wallowing in my best chair, said Mr. Pett morosely.
gpt
Smoking cigarettes.
human
Smoking? I thought he had promised aunt Nesta he wouldn't smoke.
gpt
Well, he said he wasn't, of course, but I know he had been. I don't know what to do with that boy. It's no good my talking to him. He--he patronises me! concluded Mr. Pett indignantly.
human
Sits there on his shoulder blades with his feet on the table and talks to me with his mouth full of candy as if I were his grandson.
gpt
Little brute.