human
But now, to return to what we were speaking of--my future plans, said I;
gpt
You might do worse, my boy,
human
With a view to that, I continued,
gpt
I have resolved to purchase a yacht, but before doing so I must complete the new torpedo that I have invented for the navy; that is, I hope it may be introduced into our navy. The working model in the outhouse is all but ready for exhibition. When finished, I shall show it to the Lords of the Admiralty, and after they have accepted it I will throw study overboard for a time and go on a cruise.
human
Ah, Jeff, Jeff, sighed my mother, with a shake of her head,
gpt
But never in opposition to your wishes, had I? Now be just, mother.
human
Quite true, Jeff, quite true. How comes it, I wonder, that you are so fond of fire, smoke, fumes, crash, clatter, and explosions?
gpt
Really, said I, somewhat amused by the question,
human
I cannot tell, unless it be owing to something in that law of compensation which appears to permeate the universe. You have such an abhorrence of fire, fumes, smoke, crash, clatter, and explosions, that your only son is bound, as it were, to take special delight in chemical analysis and combination, to say nothing of mechanical force and contrivance, in order that a balance of some sort may be adjusted which would otherwise be thrown out of order by your--pardon me--comparative ignorance of, and indifference to such matters.
gpt
Nay, Jeff, replied my mother, gently, with a look of reproof on her kind face;
human
True; forgive me; I should have said `dislike.'
gpt
Yes, that would have been correct, Jeff, for I cannot pretend to like the bursting, smoking, and ill-smelling things you are so fond of; but you know I am interested in them. You cannot have forgotten how, when you were a boy, I used to run at your call to witness your pyrotechnic, hydraulic, mechanic, and chemic displays--you see how well I remember the names--and how the--
human
The acids, I interrupted, taking up the theme,
gpt
Ah! yes, sighed the dear old lady, with quite a pitiful look,