human
What a beautiful country this is!
gpt
Yes, answered Geraldine,
human
It's the wildness that gets hold of one. I don't know when I was so happy as I was when hauling the canoe over portages, tracking her up rapids, and blowing rocks to bits. There must be a primitive strain in us that shows itself in the waste.
gpt
It may be useful now and then, but indulging it doesn't make for progress. Even our Indians have found that out, and those who still cling to their primitive customs live miserably in skin tepees by catching fish. I dare say any of them could take a canoe up a rapid better than you.
human
There's no doubt of that, Andrew responded.
gpt
But I don't see your drift.
human
One gets impatient now and then with the cult of the physical, which they're so proud of here. It's good in a way, but it doesn't lead to much. For example, you can't continue finding valuable claims, and there must be something for you to do besides drilling holes for dynamite.
gpt
Shooting pheasants is easier, Andrew smiled;
human
I can't say it's more useful.
gpt
And is there nothing else?
human
I'll confess to a hazy idea that if I succeeded in straightening up the Allinson affairs, I'd retire from the business while my laurels were fresh, and turn miner. The claims will need attention, and it would be more in my line than the management of the firm.
gpt
You mean you would like it better?
human
I'm beginning to understand. Andrew looked at her gravely.
gpt
If anybody else had hinted as much, I'd have felt it was exacting and I was being driven too hard. With you it's different. Once or twice already you have given me the impetus I needed, and you're right now. But if I'm not required by Allinson's why shouldn't I attend to the claims?
human
I've got everything fixed, he said jubilantly.
gpt
Three men will start at sunrise. But you look as if you had been discussing something important. What's it all about?
human
Give us your opinion, Father. Mr. Allinson seems to think he can make a few drastic reforms in his firm, and then leave such matters alone. My idea is that he will find it harder than he expected.
gpt
Mr. Allinson has still a good deal to learn and I'm afraid he's much mistaken in this matter. He turned to Andrew.
human
Once you take an active interest in a big business you'll find you can't let go. Instead of your directing the concern, it will come to own and drive you unmercifully hard. For the last ten years I've been trying to take life easier and escape from the pressure of affairs, but I'm still a long way from doing so. In fact, in spite of my good resolutions, it's only an hour since I launched out on another new venture.
gpt
Isn't it largely a matter of temperament?
human
No doubt; but not quite in the way you think--that is, it's not always a question of making money. If a man has what we'll call the constructive genius, he can't stand and look on when he sees anything that needs to be done. He feels that he must take his coat off and get to work.