human
See here, Renshaw, he burst forth at last;
gpt
--the other having said nothing at all.
human
That be hanged! The boot's all on the other foot!
gpt
Chris, you are indeed a friend! he answered.
human
I don't know what to say--
gpt
Say? Say? Say--`Done with you,' and consider the matter settled,
human
I can't say that, Chris. Just think what a run of ill-luck I have had. It would be robbing you to borrow on absolutely no security--
gpt
Ill-luck! Of course you have. So would any fellow who tried to farm Angoras in Great Bushman-land; and I was nearly saying--he'd deserve it, cried Selwood, testily.
human
It would be different down here, with decent land and decent seasons. And there isn't a better farmer in this colony than yourself!
gpt
Don't think me ungracious, said Renshaw, deprecatorily.
human
As you were saying, Chris, we have known each other all our lives, and ought to be able to speak out to each other. What I was going to say is this: Your offer is that of a true and generous friend; but were I to accept it, I should be robbing you, for I can't give you a hundred pounds' worth of security.
gpt
But I do think you ungracious, fumed the other.
human
Robbing me! Security! Tut-tut-tut! Why, old fellow, you needn't be so punctilious. Remember, you would probably have effected the sale of your place to that speculator chap in Fort Lamport the other day, but for starting off home on the spur of the moment, to protect Hilda and the rest of them against those cut-throats. And one doesn't like to think what might have happened to them but for you,