human
Of course you know what we mean,
gpt
Yes, I know what you mean.
human
He isn't mean. You're the mean one,
gpt
Chunky, remember we are at home in Chillicothe now and are supposed to set examples to our less fortunate fellow citizens. Any fellow who can get into the village paper the way you have done ought to hold his head pretty high,
human
You mean that lion-catching article?
gpt
Yes, that was a pretty swell article. They think I'm the original wonder here in Chillicothe.
human
You are. There can be no doubt of that,
gpt
I'm glad you've come, Tad, continued Ned, turning to young Butler.
human
We are planning for the new trip to the Maine Woods. I shall be glad to get east. I've never been far east. Any of the rest of you been east?
gpt
Well, I have been out to Skinner's farm. That's east of the village,
human
Please, please! begged Ned, a pained expression appearing on his face.
gpt
Leave all that sort of nonsense to entertain us after we get into the woods. We don't mind so much your playing the fool when we are away from home, but here it is different. We don't want to be disgraced in this town where we are--
human
Some pumpkins,
gpt
Well, yes; that's it, I guess,
human
We were waiting for you to talk over what we should take along, declared Walter.
gpt
I have been studying and reading and talking with Abe Parkinson, who, you know, used to live up in Maine. He says we must travel very light; that going is hard up there in the woods. He says we don't want an ounce of excess baggage, or we'll never get anywhere. Do you know anything about it, Tad?
human
Yes. I guess Mr Parkinson is right about that. It will be real roughing, perhaps more so than anything you fellows ever have experienced, for you will be a long way from civilization.
gpt
But we'll get plenty to eat, won't we?
human
You usually do.
gpt
Chunky can browse on green leaves if we get out of food,
human
Now, I call that real mean, complained the fat boy.
gpt
What did I ever do to you to merit such a fling as that?
human
You made a noise like a rattlesnake once and got me dumped into the bushes. Remember that?
gpt
I haven't got even with you for that, but I shall some day and mine will be a terrible revenge. Br-r-r!
human
Oh, fudge! scoffed the fat boy.
gpt
You talk easily, but no one is afraid of you.
human
We aren't here to fight, reproved Walter.
gpt
We are here to talk over our journey, and now that Tad has arrived let's get to business, as father would say.
human
Especially if you owed him money and couldn't pay it,
gpt
Are you all ready, Tad?
human
Boys, I'm afraid I can't go with you this time,
gpt
Can't go?
human
No, I think not, this time. Some other time, perhaps.
gpt
Nonsense! Is this some kind of joke?
human
It's no joke, Ned. I mean it.
gpt
But what--why--
human
I'll tell you, boys.
gpt
Don't tell us. We can't bear to hear disagreeable things,
human
Go on, Tad, we want to know,
gpt
Well, the whole thing is that Mother isn't well. She hasn't been well all winter. She is not so well now as she was a month ago, and--
human
I couldn't think of leaving her alone, just now; no, not for anything.
gpt
Then you won't go?
human
That settles it. Neither will I,
gpt
Oh, yes you will. You will go on just the same as before, and you will have just as good a time. After you get out into the open again you'll forget that I am not along.
human
What! Do you think I would trust my precious person to these savages? demanded the fat boy with a gesture that took in Ned Rector and Walter Perkins.
gpt
Why, I'd never come back!
human
No great loss if you didn't,
gpt
You are old enough to take care of yourself, Chunky. You will have the Professor to protect you in case anything goes wrong.
human
No, we can't have it that way, declared Perkins, with a slow shake of the head.
gpt
If you don't go, we don't. But really, I don't see why you can't. My folks will look after Mrs. Butler, and--
human
My mind is made up,
gpt
Oh, that's too bad, groaned the lads.
human
That's a burning shame, added Stacy.
gpt
I'm hot all over. That's why I know it's a burning shame.
human
Leave off joking, commanded Ned savagely.
gpt
This isn't anything to laugh about. What appears to be the matter with your mother, Tad?
human
I--I think it's her lungs,
gpt
What she needs is mountain air, declared Chunky.
human
I know. She ought to go to the mountains.
gpt
I agree with you, said Tad.
human
It is my idea that I can get her to go with me, for part of the summer at least, and then--
gpt
What's the matter with taking her along with us?
human
No, that wouldn't do, answered Tad.
gpt
She couldn't stand it.
human
Of course she couldn't. That shows how much you know, Ned Rector,
gpt
What do you propose to do all summer, Tad?
human
Oh, I shall work at something. I'm not going to be idle. Perhaps Mr. Perkins will have something to do that will keep me out of mischief for the summer after I get back,
gpt
It's my opinion that this is all foolishness, declared Ned.
human
I'm going to see your mother.
gpt
Please say nothing to my mother about it. My mind is made up, and that's all there is to it. Of course, it will be a bitter disappointment to me not to go with you, but I guess I shall get over it. It would be more bitter to me if anything--anything happened to mother.
human
And Professor is coming on next week, muttered Walter.
gpt
I guess we had better give it up for this season, fellows.
human
No. I won't have it that way, urged Tad.
gpt
You'll make me feel worse about it if you do anything like that. Your plans are made.
human
Yes, we will let things stand as they are for the present, agreed Rector.
gpt
But I shan't give up the idea that you are going with us. Why--but what's the use in talking about it? Walt, is your father at home?
human
He is at the bank.
gpt
Then I'm going over to see him.
human
What about?
gpt
I've got a little matter of business that I want to talk over with him.
human
Want to borrow some money, eh?
gpt
No, we'll leave that business to you.
human
That reminds me, Tad, could you--could you cross my palm for five cents this afternoon?
gpt
Eh? Do what?
human
Cross my palm for five cents?
gpt
Say, this is a new habit, isn't it, this borrowing money?
human
Oh, I'll pay you back when I get my allowance,
gpt
I wasn't thinking about that. Take my word for it, this borrowing business is bad business,
human
Didn't I always pay you back everything I borrowed of you?
gpt
Yes, yes, but--here's five cents. Will that be enough?
human
Well, reflected the fat boy,
gpt
Now that you have made a touch, is it permissible to ask what you are going to do with all that money?
human
It is.
gpt
Well?
human
They've got a lot of fresh buns over at the bakery. I can get thirty-six of them for a quarter. It's a bargain, too.
gpt
Buns! growled Ned in a tone of disgust.
human
Don't you ever think of anything but something to eat?
gpt
Yes--something that I haven't got to eat.
human
Go get your buns and pass them around,
gpt
I guess not. There won't be more than enough for me,
human
There's selfishness for you,