human
My boy, he said,
gpt
What's wrong?
human
Wrong? Listen! he exclaimed, almost dramatically.
gpt
In this district--in this whole district, mind--there is not a single farmer who has heard of Bundercombe's Reapers!
human
I farm a bit myself, I reminded him,
gpt
Bundercombe's Reapers, he said, as soon as he had disposed of it,
human
That seems to hit us pretty hard, I remarked.
gpt
Have you got an agent over here?
human
Sure! Mr. Bundercombe replied.
gpt
I don't follow the sales now, so I can't tell you what he's doing; but we've an agent here--and any country that doesn't buy Bundercombe's Reapers is off the line as regards agriculture!
human
What are you going to do about it?
gpt
Do! Mr. Bundercombe toyed with his wine glass for a moment and then set it down.
human
What I have done, he announced,
gpt
That's the day of the election!
human
You couldn't put it off, I suppose? he suggested.
gpt
That's the day I've fixed for my exhibition at any rate. I am giving the farmers a free lunch --slap-up affair it's going to be, I can tell you!
human
I am afraid, I answered, with a wholly wasted sarcasm,
gpt
Well, well! We must try not to clash, Mr. Bundercombe said magnanimously.
human
How long does the voting go on?
gpt
From eight until eight,
human
It's a long time to hold them!
gpt
To hold whom?
human
Nothing! Nothing! By the by, do you know a chap called Jonas--Henry Jonas, of Milton Farm?
gpt
I should think I do! I groaned.
human
He's the backbone of the Opposition, the best speaker they've got and the most popular man.
gpt
Is that so! he observed.
human
Well, well! He is a very intelligent man. I trust I'll be able to persuade him that any reaper he may be using at the present moment is a jay compared to Bundercombe's--this season's model!
gpt
I trust you may, I answered, a trifle tartly.
human
I am glad you're likely to do a little business; but you won't mind, my reminding you--will you?-- that you really came down here to give me a leg up with my election, and not to sell your machines or to spend half your time in the enemy's camp!