human
This is the great day, boys, announced Trainer Black at the breakfast table.
gpt
Train leaves for London at 10:30. Games at two o'clock. Put all the stuff you need in your suit cases. They will go up on the train with us.
human
Do we lunch in London?
gpt
No, we have a bite on the train which gets to London at a little before twelve. It's a half-hour's ride in taxis from the station to the Queen's Club grounds. We won't get there much before half past twelve or a quarter to one. That'll give us plenty of time to dress and be ready for the Johnny Bulls by two o'clock.
human
I'm as nervous as a cat, he said to himself.
gpt
If they had only let me keep on working I'd have been a lot better off, but this waiting, waiting bothers me to death.
human
Oh, there, you little jumping jack, came the hail from the street,
gpt
Can't, said Frank.
human
Train leaves in less than two hours. Have you packed up?
gpt
Packed up, no. The valet will do that. Who wants to pack suit cases a morning like this? Come on, you short-skate, come on and forget Queen's Club.
human
I'll go you for an hour, said Frank,
gpt
This machine is guaranteed bust-proof. You can trust the old reliable. It is even fool-proof.
human
I'd need that assurance with you around.
gpt
And you're coming?
human
Yes, but only for an hour.
gpt
Don't worry, I'll have you back, hope to die if I don't.
human
Just down there to the east about twenty miles the way we're heading is Hastings.
gpt
That's where William the Conqueror had his little scrap one day some moons ago, isn't it?
human
Yes, sir, he fought a bit of a fight there, and just over to the left there is the Duke of Buccleuch's estate. And down there in the field where you see that house in the trees I was born meself, sir.
gpt
Good for you, said the Codfish,
human
Yes, sir, they are living there now. I say, would you mind stopping at the door, sir? My mother's been ailing, and I'd like to see her a minute.
gpt
Dutiful and kind-hearted son, we'll be happy to stop for you. Better still, you give me the steering wheel and we'll drive on for a mile or two and pick you up on the way back.
human
Can you drive?
gpt
Can I drive? Can a duck float? I've driven a six-sixty Pierce Arrow through the White Mountains, but you wouldn't know what that means. Let's see, said the irrepressible Codfish, as he slipped into the driver's seat just vacated by the chauffeur and worked the shift lever as he spoke:
human
First speed inside ahead, second speed outside ahead, high, outside back. Reverse, inside back. I've got you, Steve. We'll be back here in fifteen minutes. Please be waiting at the church for we haven't too many spare minutes this morning.
gpt
Be careful, sir, called the chauffeur,
human
Same thing in our country, but we're hard to catch,
gpt
This is what we should have done long before this, quoth Gleason,
human
Yes, but he's handy to have along under certain conditions.
gpt
Better turn now, old man. We've been out nearly thirty minutes, and thirty more makes an hour, my time limit.
human
You're great on mathematics. Let's go up this road through the village there to our right and out back on the main road, pick up the gent who went to visit the old folks, and then I'll drop you in dear old Brighton in some few minutes. But first let us explore a little.
gpt
I'd rather we explored some other time,
human
Now, let's see, where did we leave that chap? he mused.
gpt
Right along here some place by the willows, wasn't it?
human
Well, it certainly was here somewhere, and if he hasn't the gumption to come back as per agreement, he can stay behind, eh, what?
gpt
Gleason, this doesn't look like the road we came on,
human
Well, it's a good road, isn't it?
gpt
But no road is good unless it leads to Brighton. Remember your promise. That train leaves at ten-thirty and it is five minutes of ten now. And, moreover, we're lost.
human
Lost, your eye! How can we be lost when I'm at the helm? But, nevertheless, the puzzled look on the Codfish's face continued to grow deeper as the minutes passed away and nothing was seen of the chauffeur.
gpt
I say, he called to a passing farmer,
human
Naw. Second turn to the right and then keep straight ahead.
gpt
How far from here?
human
The country is saved. Now see the dust fly. Twenty minutes to do five miles. Oh, it's a cinch. That chauffeur can walk home. I'll settle.
gpt
Is this the way to Brighton?
human
This _is_ Breyting, with an accent on the
gpt
What?
human
This _is_ Breyting, I tell you.
gpt
How do you spell it?
human
B-r-e-y-t-i-n-g, Breyting.
gpt
Oh, Lord, we want B-r-i-g-h-t-o-n, Brighton, down by the sea, where all the piers and pebbles are.
human
Oh, why didn't you say so at first? Take the road to the left down about half a mile. It'll bring you down to the far end of the street that runs along the water.
gpt
How far is it?
human
And fifteen minutes to do it in. This is awful!
gpt
Cheer up, cheer up, said the driver, making a great show of confidence which he didn't in the least feel.
human
We may do it yet. Opening the throttle the car fairly leaped along the road.
gpt
It's exceeding the speed limit, but in a good cause, said the Codfish.
human
Lord, I hope the tires stand up.