human
What's that thing?
gpt
That is my grave, Master Teddy,
human
Your grave?
gpt
Yes.
human
Pshaw! That's a funny kind of grave. What's buried there--your pet poodle?
gpt
Teddy! Teddy!
human
Go 'way. This is some kind of a joke,
gpt
It is not a joke, though I do not understand the meaning of it just yet. You say this is your grave, Mrs. Waite?
human
Yes, Phil. You know my husband was a soldier?
gpt
No, I did not know that, Mrs. Waite. Will you tell me all about it?
human
My husband was killed at the battle of Gettysburg. He lies in Woodlawn Cemetery. I am never at home on Decoration Day. I am always on the road with the circus, so I cannot decorate the real grave.
gpt
I understand,
human
Being unable to decorate my husband's real grave, I carry my grave with me. Each Memorial Day morning I prepare my grave here in the dressing tent, and decorate it as you see here, and all my friends of the circus are very good and thoughtful on that occasion.
gpt
How long have you been with the show--how many years have you been decorating this little property grave, Mrs. Waite?
human
Thirty years, Phil.
gpt
Is it possible?
human
Yes, and it seems no more than two.
gpt
Do you intend remaining with the show much longer--aren't you ever going to retire?
human
Yes. I am going to retire. I am getting old. I have laid up enough money to keep me for the rest of my life, and I am going to take a rest after two years more with this outfit.
gpt
I am afraid you will miss the show,
human
I know I shall. I shall miss the life, the color, and I shall miss my boys and my girls. I love them all very much.