human
I--I didn't know you were here,
gpt
Why, you asked me to come on board and dine and spend the evening with you, replied the Count good-humouredly.
human
Had you forgotten?
gpt
Well--well, said the doctor,
human
I--Really, I'm afraid I had. What--what have you been about? he continued, turning angrily upon Rodd.
gpt
It's a strange thing, Rodney, that when you know of some engagement that I have made, and it slips my memory, you never remind me of it.
human
Well, uncle--I--
gpt
Well, uncle--you! I remember now well enough. You were there this morning when I asked the Count and--Ah, Morny, my lad! How are you? Glad you have come.--But, as I was saying, what were you thinking about?
human
Expedition into the forest, uncle,
gpt
Expedition into the forest, sir! Um--ah! Well.--Yes, I'm afraid I was thinking about it too. I am so sorry, Des Saix. But welcome all the same, if you will forgive me.
human
Forgive you, yes! said the Count warmly.
gpt
That and a great deal more. But I am very glad that you have so strangely led up to the subject upon which I wish to talk to you.
human
What, my forgetfulness?
gpt
No, no! That expedition into the forest.
human
No, no; don't talk about it. I have thought about it too much, and it worries me.
gpt
Well, I want to put a stop to its worrying you. Morny here has been telling me how anxious you both are to go.
human
Morny! Why, what did he know about it? He couldn't tell. Here, you, Rodney, have you been letting your tongue run, sir, exposing all my weaknesses?
gpt
No, sir, that he has not, replied the French lad eagerly;
human
Oh, fudge! Stuff! Nonsense! cried the doctor petulantly.
gpt
That's quite out of the question.
human
Why?
gpt
Why? cried the doctor.
human
Oh, because it's--that is--er--I feel--
gpt
Bound by a sense of imaginary duty, said the Count, smiling.
human
You think it would be unfriendly to me and my son here to leave us in what you English people call the lurch; and therefore you are depriving yourself of what would be a great pleasure as naturalists and hunters in which you would indulge if we were not here.
gpt
My dear Des Saix, I do wish you would not talk about it, cried the doctor.
human
There, I confess that if we were alone I should probably take advantage of the Spanish captain's knowledge of the country, and go a little way up with him; but as matters are, with your brig still unfinished, and so much to do, I consider it would be an act of disgraceful selfishness to go away and leave you alone here.
gpt
Absurd! said the Count.
human
You would be going into wilder parts while we should be quite at home here, in the nearly finished brig, and have her in the best of trim by the time you came back.
gpt
Impossible! snapped out the doctor.
human
Nothing of the sort.
gpt
What do you say, Morny? continued the Count.
human
You feel that they are both eager to go?
gpt
Yes, father; and I am sure that Rodd is burning with desire.
human
You don't know anything about it,
gpt
Well, said the Count,
human
Me, father!
gpt
Yes; I am sure you would enjoy a trip with Rodd as much as he would like you to go with him.
human
Yes, that I should, cried Rodd;
gpt
Yes, said Morny gravely;
human
No, Morny; you will obey my wishes. You have your young life saddened enough with disappointments, so that when there is an opportunity to keep one away I call upon you to accompany young Harding here as his companion, and I wish you both a very enjoyable trip.
gpt
That's very nice of you--very nice indeed, cried the doctor;
human
But they would not go alone. You would have full charge of your nephew.
gpt
Now, Des Saix!
human
Let me finish, said the Count good-humouredly;
gpt
No, said the doctor,
human
I shall certainly not think of trusting ourselves to that man and his crew.
gpt
There I agree with you, said the Count;
human
And if he could be spared, cried Rodd,
gpt
I should like for us to have Joe Cross.
human
Now, look here, cried Uncle Paul,
gpt
Nothing is likely to happen, said the Count,
human
There, said the doctor,
gpt
I am afraid I am beaten.