human
The most wonderful old man I've ever seen!
gpt
He's certainly very tough!
human
But his sympathy and understanding! Remarkable! . . . Old people are usually so narrow-minded and crotchety . . . so selfish.
gpt
Ah! He's the exception!
human
What's his age?
gpt
Ninety-six next week.
human
You don't say so! Most _astounding_!
gpt
You've only seen him at his quietest, doctor.
human
Normally, I said,
gpt
Impossible at his age!
human
You must drop in some day and see for yourself.
gpt
Can you give any reason for it?
human
I suppose, I said,
gpt
H'm! . . . Very interesting man! Telling me this morning all about Abraham Lincoln's election as President and how it was the culmination of the long political struggle between the North and the South over the question of slavery. Your great-grandfather was a young man of about your age at that time. . . . Remarkable memory for details! mused the doctor, jerkily, as if he had a preserved specimen of Gran'pa before him in a bottle of spirit.
human
Got a fine head, too. . . . And there's character in his face. . . . I should say he's a man who is not easily turned from anything he's set his mind to.
gpt
He's the very devil, I admitted,
human
It's men like that who make for progress, you know. . . .
gpt
Undoubtedly, doctor! I believe that in a few years' time grandfather's name will be a household word.
human
In a few years' time! . . . he exclaimed.
gpt
But surely at his age--ninety-six . . .
human
Oh, he's good for another thirty or forty years yet!
gpt
Well, I must be going, Mr. Barnett.
human
You must pardon me, George, he said,
gpt
I had no such intention, I replied.
human
It was more from a feeling of justifiable pride in your abilities than anything else.
gpt
H'm! . . . Well, it's my own fault, perhaps. . . . I've been intoxicated with this sudden flow of new energy. It went to my head, so to speak. My brain was overstimulated. I felt very much like a man who has come out of the darkness into a blaze of light. I hadn't grown used to the change. . . . Then came this terrible shock. I thought that Molly was going to die. . . . (Although she had practically recovered, the word sent the blood rushing inwards and I involuntarily shivered.)
human
But, thank God, she was spared. . . . It's been one awful nightmare of fear and if anything had happened to her, I should have killed myself; but the ordeal seems to have steadied me. Something's gone snap in here --he tapped his forehead--
gpt
As soon as Molly is well again I intend starting life afresh. I have a great deal of experience behind me, valuable first-hand knowledge of things and persons. I don't want to quote the old tag about an ounce of experience, but it's certainly true. It will give me a big pull over the younger generation--although I shall necessarily want their help. I shall not be handicapped like most men of my age, or even twenty years younger. And, thank Heaven, I have plenty of self-confidence.