human
What in heaven's name do you intend doing with them? I managed to say at last.
gpt
Is it to be the nucleus of a new Air Force?
human
No! Just a little private venture--for the public good!
gpt
D'you mean there's a machine for each of us?
human
If you like to put it that way, George. . . .
gpt
Why be so secretive? I asked.
human
Surely you can tell us all exactly what you intend doing.
gpt
Ever thought of foreign travel?
human
I have. We all have! But certainly not by aeroplane.
gpt
Ah! You're still very conservative, George. You should move with the times. You don't think that, now I've got my youth back, I'm going to be content with fussy old steamers and railway trains, do you? I want to fly--_soar!_--get above the world and look down on it. Besides, he added slyly,
human
You've read Robert Louis Stevenson, George?
gpt
I have!
human
D'you like treasure hunting yarns?
gpt
I do!
human
But you don't think there's much scope for that sort of thing nowadays?
gpt
I don't think there ever was--except in books,
human
You're a frightful sceptic, George. It's through living in London all your life. A dull, blasé place! . . . Lot of noise and bustle--and talk--but nothing ever _happens_!
gpt
All that's got to be changed. Humanity in the mass moves very slowly. If you want things done, you must rely on the individual who can elbow his way out of the rut.
human
George, he said quietly.
gpt
I believe I'm one of those individuals. Already, I'm the first man to travel backwards through life. There was that convict they experimented on in America, of course, but one never heard any more of him. Possibly he died. In any case he was only sixty or so. _I_ was ninety-five. . . .
human
Was . . . ?
gpt
How old am I now? He stood up and smote his chest.
human
How old do I look and feel?
gpt
About forty-five, I should say.
human
Not a day older! Not a day. . . . Well, that's the first step away from the rut. Then there's this--the greatest of all. Treasure hunting in aeroplanes!
gpt
Where? And _what_?