human
That is it,
gpt
Hold on, exclaimed Merrihew.
human
Pass it out slowly. What's that mean?
gpt
See Naples and die.
human
I prefer to see it and live. But I am kind of disappointed in Vesuvius. It's not the terrible old Moloch of my geographies that gobbled up cities and peoples. And nobody seems to be afraid of it, with a gesture toward the villages nestling with the utmost confidence at the circling base.
gpt
Not a bit of smoke anywhere.
human
No, my boy, don't speak slightingly of old Vesuvius. It is one of the great mysteries of the world. To-morrow that mountain may swallow up the whole bay, or it may never wake up again. Respect it; I do. When I recall Herculaneum and Pompeii--
gpt
Two thousand years ago; that's different. I'm never satisfied, I know, but I should like to see it blow its head off while I'm here.
human
Not I! As I grow older I like comfort and security more and more. See that village on the cliffs toward the south? That's Sorrento, where I was born. The eruption of '72 happened while I was there, but I was too young to take any particular notice. Sh! Look at Giovanni.