human
I think your Tiny is wanting to learn to talk, her father said.
gpt
He seems to be trying to see how you do it.
human
Oh, do you think he can learn, papa? she asked, in eager tones.
gpt
I don't see why monkeys shouldn't talk as well as parrots.
human
I do not, either, my child; I only know that they do not.
gpt
I can talk and I will when I want to. My little mistress is very kind and good to me, and I'm growing very fond of her.
human
I wish it were really his talk. But I know it was Cousin Ronald who spoke.
gpt
Ah, little cousin, how much fun you miss by knowing too much,
human
You needn't make a fuss over my brother. I can talk quite as well as he can.
gpt
Why, so you can! exclaimed Ned, stroking and patting him.
human
And I'm glad to have you talk just as much as you will.
gpt
Thank you, little master; you're very good to me,
human
Now, Tiny, it is your turn, said Elsie to her pet.
gpt
I hope you think you are having a good time here on this yacht?
human
Yes, indeed I do, was the reply.
gpt
But where are we going?
human
To Viamede; a beautiful place in Louisiana. And you shall run about over the velvety, flower-spangled lawn, and climb the trees, if you want to, and pick some oranges and bananas for yourself, and have ever such a good time.
gpt
That's nice! Shall my brother Tee-tee have a good time with me, too?
human
Yes, if you both promise not to run away and leave us.
gpt
We'd be very foolish tee-tees if we did.
human
So I think,
gpt
Come, Tee-tee; it's your turn to talk a little,
human
Am I going to that good place Tiny's mistress tells about, where they have fine trees to climb and oranges and bananas and other good things to eat?
gpt
Yes, replied Ned,
human
Then I mean to be good--as good as I know how.
gpt
Cousin Ronald, you do make them talk very nicely, remarked Elsie, with satisfaction, adding,
human
But I do wish they could do it themselves.
gpt
I presume they would be glad if they could, said Lucilla.
human
Yours watches the movements of your lips, as if he wanted very much to imitate them with his.
gpt
And I believe he does, said Elsie.
human
It makes me feel more thankful for the gift of speech than I ever did before.
gpt
Then it has a good effect,
human
So they are useful little creatures, after all, said Grace,
gpt
I think Tiny is the very best plaything that ever I had, said Elsie, again stroking and patting the little fellow.
human
Cousin Ronald, won't you please make him talk a little more?
gpt
Why do you want me to talk so much, little mistress?
human
Oh, because I like to hear you and you really mean what you seem to say. Do you like to be with us on this nice big yacht?
gpt
Pretty well, though I'd rather be among the big trees in the woods where I was born.
human
I think that must be because you are not quite civilized,
gpt
I'd rather be in those woods, too, Tee-tee seemed to say.
human
Let's run away to the woods, Tiny, when we get a chance.
gpt
Ho, ho! cried Ned,
human
Now, Ned, you surely wouldn't be so cruel as to keep him if he wants to go back to his native woods, said Lucilla.
gpt
How would you like to be carried off to a strange place, away from papa and mamma?
human
But I ain't a monkey, said Ned.
gpt
And I don't believe he cares about his father and mother as I do about mine. Do you care very much about them, Tee-tee?
human
Not so very much; and I think they've been caught or killed.
gpt
There; he doesn't care a bit.
human
But it wasn't he that answered; it was Cousin Ronald.
gpt
Well, maybe Cousin Ronald knows how he feels. Don't you, Cousin Ronald?
human
Ah, I must acknowledge that it is all guess-work, sonny boy,
gpt
Well, said Ned, reflectively,
human
I've heard there are some folks who are good at guessing, and I believe you are one of them, Cousin Ronald.
gpt
But I'm not a Yankee, you know, and I've heard that they are the folks who are good at guessing,
human
But I don't believe they do all the guessing; I think other folks must do some of it,
gpt
Quite likely, said Cousin Ronald;
human
Tee-tee, said Ned,
gpt
I wish you and Tiny would talk a little more.
human
What about little master?
gpt
Oh, anything you please. All I want is the fun of hearing you talk,
human
It wouldn't be polite for us to do all the talking, he seemed to respond; and Ned returned,
gpt
You needn't mind about the politeness of it. We folks all want to hear you talk, whatever you may say.
human
But I don't want to talk unless I have something to say,
gpt
That's right, Tiny; you seem to be a sensible fellow,
human
Papa, are monkeys mischievous?
gpt
They have that reputation, and certainly some have shown themselves so; therefore, you would better not put temptation in the way of Tiny or Tee-tee.
human
And better not trust them too far, said Violet.
gpt
I'd be sorry to have any of your clothes torn up while we are so far from home.
human
Oh mamma, do you think they would do that?
gpt
I don't know; but I have heard of monkeys meddling with their mistress's clothes, and perhaps Tiny doesn't know how much too large even yours would be for her--no for him.
human
Well, mamma, I'll try to keep things out of his way, and I hope he'll realize that a girl's garments are not suitable for a boy monkey, laughed Elsie.
gpt
Do you hear that? and will you remember?
human
And I'll try to keep my clothes out of Tee-tee's way; for I shouldn't like to make trouble for you, mamma, or to wear either holey or patched clothes,
gpt
No, said his father;
human
And I think you will find these pretty little fellows honest, and not meddlesome, said Mr. Dinsmore.
gpt
I have read that they are most engaging little creatures, and from what I have seen of these, I think that is true; they seem to behave with gentle intelligence quite superior to that of any other monkey I ever saw; to have amiable tempers, too, and there is an innocent expression in their countenances, which is very pleasing. I do not think they have as yet had anything to frighten them here, but I have read that when alarmed, sudden tears fill their clear hazel eyes, and they make little imploring, shrinking gestures that excite the sympathy of those to whom they are appealing for protection.
human
Yes, grandpa, I think they do look good, enough better and pleasanter than any other monkey that ever I saw,
gpt
Yes, said his father,
human
Children, said Violet,
gpt
Dolphin