human
What are you King of?
gpt
Of the fish, he answered, patting her cheek.
human
I'm right glad to see you.
gpt
It's very healthy, I suppose, remarked Dulcie,
human
I suppose so, my lady, answered the Fish-King drily. Dulcie liked being called
gpt
human
Except, he continued thoughtfully,
gpt
Then turning to Cyril he asked:
human
How's that old rascal of a Wizard? laughing in his dressing-gown, eh?
gpt
I'm sorry I don't know, your Majesty,
human
You will soon get to know me. I only hope you may not be disappointed. You certainly wouldn't have been disappointed with my ancestor.
gpt
Who's your ancestor? asked Dulcie bluntly.
human
Was he a King-fisher too?
gpt
Not at all. He was Neptune.
human
Where did he live?
gpt
In Imagination.
human
Where's that?
gpt
You turn to the right, answered his Majesty patiently, with a gesture that way,
human
Just see, there's a dear boy, said the Fish-King kindly, in order to change the subject--
gpt
I'm afraid I don't know what you mean; I've never heard of all that,
human
But you _have_ heard there's been another slump!
gpt
What?
human
In what? Why, in Seaweed, of course. Just my luck. Fishy transactions never do pay, though they always promise to. But, he added, rousing himself, dismal still,
gpt
Birthday! How delightful!
human
Why, how old can you possibly be? asked Cyril,
gpt
Quite right. Let me see, said the Fish-King thoughtfully.
human
Ah, now I remember. I'm just several millions of years--it takes a little time to fix the number exactly--and eleven days.
gpt
That _is_ old, Sire,
human
Old? Nonsense, my lady.
gpt
How can it be 'and eleven days' if it's your birthday, your Worship?
human
Because, my Philosopher, I prefer the new-fangled Calendar which puts one on eleven days; in that way, when I'm told I don't look my age, I know it's true, and not flattery. See?