human
I want to ask a favour, sir.
gpt
Very well, Joe.
human
We boys, the whole crowd of us, want to go off on a lark.
gpt
That is frankly said, Joe,
human
We want to go over to a fishing-place John tells about, where the fish are extra big and quick to bite.
gpt
I am willing, Joe, perfectly willing.
human
But that isn’t all, Mr. Bernard, said Joe reddening, and finding it harder to ask the favour than he expected.
gpt
We want to go on our own hook, and not have any one to look after us.
human
That would be sorry fishing, to get on your own hooks, Chester, was the laughing reply.
gpt
But I understand: you object to the company of the teachers. Is that it?
human
What have you against us, Joe? Are we too strict? asked Mr. Bernard good-naturedly.
gpt
Have we offended your majesties in any way?
human
Oh no, sir. The teachers are very nice; but some of the boys think they are tied up too much, and get kind of uneasy.
gpt
We would be just as careful as if the teachers were there,
human
Very well, boys. If you will all be careful, I will agree to your going without a leader. I think myself that it is much wiser to have one of the teachers with such a troop of boys. When men gather in companies, they always appoint a leader, and consider it no disgrace to them.
gpt
That’s so, said Joe Chester.
human
I never thought of that; did you, Walt?
gpt
No, but I’m for a day of freedom! replied Walter in a low tone. Then aloud he said,
human
So we may go, Mr. Bernard, may we?
gpt
Yes, you may go. Success to you, and a safe return!
human
Three cheers for the teachers! cried Ned Gould, waving his cap, and adding in a low tone to Walter,
gpt
Nice fellows--at a distance!
human
It’s worse than getting dinner for you! It will take all my bread and gingerbread.
gpt
Put in plenty; we’ll be hungry as sharks,
human
Put in some potatoes, Jonas, and we’ll make a fire and cook some for dinner ourselves. I can fry fish on a stick,
gpt
Now, you youngsters, save all the fish you catch, and Freitag and I’ll come over and fetch ’em back.
human
All right, Jonas; we’ll have a big load for you.
gpt
Cheer, boys, cheer.
human
This is something like--don’t you say so, boys? It seems good to be our own masters. I’m sick of hearing ’Don’t do this,’ and ’You’d better not do that.’ It spoils all the fun of camping out.
gpt
Well, Walt, we are free for once. Let’s enjoy our liberty, and not grumble,