human
Good morning, Mr. Schnitt, said Johnny cheerfully.
gpt
I have just come from Ersten's. He wants you to come back.
human
Did he say it?
gpt
Not exactly, admitted Johnny,
human
I know it, asserted Heinrich.
gpt
Is he going to move?
human
Not just yet, was the diplomatic return.
gpt
He will after you go back to work, I think.
human
I never work in that place again, announced the old man with a sigh.
gpt
I said it.
human
That shop isn't light enough, is it?
gpt
There is no light and no room,
human
Your eyes began to give out on you, didn't they?
gpt
My eyes are like a young man's yet!
human
You don't read much any more,
gpt
My glasses don't fit,
human
You changed them last winter, she insisted.
gpt
Now, papa, don't be foolish! You know your eyes got bad in Louis Ersten's dark workroom. You never tell lies. Say it!
human
Well, maybe they ain't just so good as they was,
gpt
That's what I told Ersten, stated Johnny.
human
He's worried stiff about it! I think he'll move so you have a lighter workroom if you go back.
gpt
When he moves I come.
human
He won't move till you do.
gpt
Then there is nothing, concluded Schnitt resignedly, and stooped over to pull another weed.
human
Mama, maybe Mr. Gamble likes some of that wine Carrie's husband made the year he died.
gpt
Ja voll,
human
I'll fix it for you, offered Johnny.
gpt
You go to Ersten and say you will come back; then Ersten will get a new place before you start to work.
human
I do that much,
gpt
Good! approved Johnny.
human
You want to be careful what you say, though, for Ersten is stubborn.
gpt
He is stubborn like a mule,
human
You must say you have come back to work in that place.
gpt
I'll never do it!
human
Certainly not, agreed Johnny hurriedly.
gpt
You tell him you want a month to rest up your eyes.
human
I don't need it!
gpt
You only say that so you won't have to work in that shop, but, never mind, I'll fix it so he offers it, patiently explained Johnny, and proceeded to make it perfectly plain.
human
You say that you have come back to work. Don't say another word.
gpt
I have come back to work,
human
Then Ersten will ask you: 'In this place?' You say: 'Yes.'
gpt
You say: 'Yes'! he emphatically insisted.
human
Ersten will tell you to take a month off to rest your eyes.
gpt
You say: 'Thank you', he directed;
human
Will he promise it?
gpt
No, confessed Johnny.
human
I promised it but Ersten will do it.
gpt
All right; I try it,
human
Three cheers! said Johnny with a huge sigh of relief.
gpt
I'll be back after you in about an hour.