human
Wait! Don't be in such a hurry, old fellow. Let's reason this thing out a little before you spill the fat in the fire!
gpt
But, Elmer, don't you see he's a regular firebrand! urged the tall boy, twisting a little, as though struggling to get loose from the detaining hand; but only in a faint-hearted fashion, because as always the influence of the scout master predominated.
human
How do we know but what right now he's figuring on doing us all some mean trick? We're friends of Uncle Caleb, and he must look on us as his enemies.
gpt
You forget something, Lil Artha,
human
Oh! yes, in my hurry I'm always forgetting things; but tell me what I've let slip now, Elmer.
gpt
It was yesterday that Zack was heading toward this cabin, breathing all sorts of ugly threats against Uncle Caleb, wasn't it?
human
Why, of course it was, Elmer,
gpt
And something has happened since then, you know, Lil Artha?
human
Oh! sure, several things,
gpt
Zack Arnold had an accident, and found himself facing what might be the end of his evil career, continued Elmer.
human
Now, life is sweet even to such a man; and he couldn't but feel alarmed at the idea of being frozen in the snow forest, because of his broken arm, and having no way to supply himself with food or fire. Then in his desperation he forgot everything else, and came to the cabin of the man he had been calling his enemy. You know what sort of a reception he got, Lil Artha?
gpt
You bet I do, Elmer; it couldn't have been warmer if he'd been a life-long comrade of Uncle Caleb!
human
All right, then, the scout master told him, emphatically;
gpt
Do you really think so, Elmer? And could such a scoundrel ever reform?
human
Of course I wouldn't like to stake my reputation on it, Elmer continued;
gpt
I reckon it will, Elmer! muttered the tall scout, beginning to drift across the line, and agree with what the other advanced.
human
And don't you think we ought to let Uncle Caleb know about this gas-pipe thing?
gpt
Yes, but I don't think it'll make any difference with his way of treating the man. Uncle Caleb has sized Zack up to a dot, and he's trying to get the whip-hand over him by sheer kindness. And I think he will, sooner or later. It wouldn't surprise me if it all ended in Zack turning right-about face, and caring for Uncle Caleb just as much as he thought he hated him. Such men when they do change never make a half-way job of it; they go the whole thing.
human
Shall I call Uncle Caleb out here now while we're at it, Elmer?
gpt
I'll do it, and you wait here,
human
All right, then; you know how to go about it better than I do. I'll be ready to spring my little surprise on our host,