human
Er--do I understand that you want me to stay here until I fully appreciate all you've offered me, Mr. Fry?
gpt
Virtually that.
human
Well, I appreciated that all along; but--but I was sort of worried about it getting so late, you know, David said brightly.
gpt
I certainly do appreciate it, and I thank you very much. Now can I have my coat?
human
Really decided to grip the opportunity, eh?
gpt
You bet!
human
Now chase him, Anthony! he said.
gpt
He's standing up and holding the sugar on his nose. Slip the kid a five-dollar bill and let Wilkins----
human
Do you really imagine that I'd rouse all the boy's hopes and then play him a shabby trick like that?
gpt
Huh?
human
Most emphatically not! Mr. Fry said.
gpt
I'll play no such shabby trick on the youngster. He shall have exactly the chance I promised, and I shall watch the working out of the idea with the most intense interest. David, I'm going to keep you here from this minute!
human
Keep me here?
gpt
Certainly.
human
Well, I'll tell you, Mr. Fry, he said.
gpt
I'd like to stay to-night, but I can't--not to-night. You see, I have to go home to my father. He's an--an invalid.
human
We'll telephone the good news to him,
gpt
You can't, said David.
human
We're too poor to have a telephone.
gpt
Very well. Then we'll wire him.
human
That wouldn't do, either, said he.
gpt
Father's sick, you know. His heart's very weak. Just the sight of a telegram might kill him.
human
Unfortunate! Anthony sighed and shrugged his shoulders.
gpt
Very well, David. Then you shall write him a note, and I'll have Wilkins take it to him.
human
Oh, no! Not that, sir! said he.
gpt
That might be even worse than a telegram, I think.
human
Why?
gpt
Well, father would be likely to think that I'd been--been injured and taken into some swell home, you know, and that I was writing like that just to reassure him. No, David said firmly,
human
Confound your hat and coat! he rapped out.
gpt
See here, David. You write the note, and I myself will take it to your father and explain--and be sure that he will rejoice. There is the desk. Where do you live?