human
How well 'ee look, Master Lionel! And Lard bless 'ee, I was thinkin' of 'ee as you turned carner. Any fish this fine evening?
gpt
What be they Frenchies doing, sir?
human
I hear that twenty thousand Germans have been repulsed at Nancy, but I don't believe it, Uncle.
gpt
No more don't I, Master Lionel. These be troublous times.
human
Be we coming in?
gpt
Damn it, we can't keep out.
human
What I says exzactly. The Rads be kickin' up a fine hullabaloo--a very dirty, timorsome lot. And bound to crawl down the pole bimeby.
gpt
France is invaded,
human
Quick work, sir.
gpt
Quick? After forty years' elaborate preparation? This thing is horribly serious, Uncle. I'm wondering what they think about it in the village.
human
I can tell 'ee, no man better. 'Tis none o' their business, they thinks. Such shameless ignerunce makes wiser folk value their wisdom. I happened into the _Sir John Barleycorn_ just afore seein' you, sir. I'd a matter o' business wi' William Saint.
gpt
Very thirsty evening, too, Uncle.
human
I bain't denying that, Master Lionel. And I did take a glass o' what they calls ale there for the good o' the house. We fell to talkin'. I made bold to tell 'em what me and Lord Roberts felt about that there Kayser. And it miffed 'em. I could see that. And the less they pore souls says the more they thinks. They be chewin' my cud now. But what do 'ee really think, sir?
gpt
I think, Uncle, that inside of a fortnight I shall be at my depot in Winchester, drilling recruits.
human
Lard save us! And you wi' so young and be-utiful a wife!
gpt
Sir Geoffrey thinks as I do. There is going to be a terrific strain on the manhood of this country. Will it stand that strain?
human
I thinks it will, Master Lionel, so be as they chin-wobblin' politicians keeps their dirty fingers out o' pie. I'd like to march wi' 'ee to Winchester, and overseas, too, by Jo'!