human
Mr. Malone, she said,
gpt
She stopped.
human
I mean, you've been so quiet.
gpt
I like being quiet, Malone said patiently.
human
Besides--
gpt
How sweet of you, Mr. Malone, she said.
human
Nobody's called me that for centuries. But of course I can. Although it's not reading, really. After all, that would be like asking if I can read your voice. Of course I can, Mr. Malone.
gpt
That does it, Malone said.
human
I'm not a hard man to convince. And when I see the truth, I'm the first one to admit it, even if it makes me look like a nut. He turned back to the little old lady.
gpt
Begging your pardon,
human
Oh, my, the little old lady said.
gpt
I really don't mind at all. Sticks and stones, you know, can break my bones. But being called nuts, Mr. Malone, can never hurt me. After all, it's been so many years--so many hundreds of years--
human
Sure,
gpt
Listen, Malone, he said,
human
It's very simple, Malone said.
gpt
Miss Thompson here ... pardon me; I mean Queen Elizabeth I ... really is a telepath. That's all. I think I want to lie down somewhere until it goes away.
human
Until what goes away?
gpt
Everything,
human
My goodness, the little old lady said after a second.
gpt
Everything's so confused. Poor Mr. Malone is terribly shaken up by everything. She stood up, still holding her knitting, and went across the room. Before the astonished eyes of the doctor and nurse, and Tom Boyd, she patted the FBI agent on the shoulder.
human
There, there, Mr. Malone, she said.
gpt
It will all be perfectly all right. You'll see.
human
You called up Boyd here, he said,
gpt
It's all right, the little old lady put in from her chair.
human
I don't mind your calling me Miss Thompson, not right now, anyhow.
gpt
Thanks,
human
You mean she really _is_ a-- He stopped and brought his tenor voice to a squeaking halt, regained his professional poise, and began again.
gpt
I'd rather not discuss the patient in her presence, Mr. Malone, he said.
human
If you'll just come into my office--
gpt
Oh, _bosh_, Dr. Harman, the little old lady said primly.
human
I do wish you'd give your own Queen credit for some ability. Goodness knows you think _you're_ smart enough.
gpt
Now, now, Miss Thompson, he said in what was obviously his best Grade A Choice Government Inspected couchside manner.
human
Don't....
gpt
she finished for him.
human
Now, really, doctor. I know what you're going to tell them.
gpt
But Miss Thompson, I--
human
You didn't honestly think I _was_ a telepath, the little old lady said.
gpt
Heavens, we know that. And you're going to tell them how I used to say I could read minds ... oh, years and years ago. And because of that you thought it might be worth while to tell the FBI about me--which wasn't very kind of you, doctor, before you knew anything about why they wanted somebody like me.
human
Now, now, Miss Thompson,