human
I wish I were two years older.
gpt
Why do you wish that, Watty?
human
Because papa says I am to go into the army at sixteen, and I do so long to be a soldier.
gpt
But you might be killed.
human
And I might live to be a great man like the Duke of Wellington, said he with boyish enthusiasm.
gpt
So, Madame Ella, set the one chance against the other.
human
But it requires more than mere courage, Walter, to make a great man like him. I have heard papa say--and he fought under him in Spain--that it takes a century to produce a Wellington.
gpt
I think papa did the Duke great injustice, said Walter.
human
There is not one of the heroes of antiquity to compare to him. Julius Cæsar was not a greater conqueror than Napoleon, and Wellington beat him. But great as the Duke is, Miss Ella, he was a boy once--a soldier of fortune, as I shall be; and who knows but that I may win as great a name?
gpt
It is a good thing, to have a fine conceit of one's self, said the provoking girl.
human
And what would you like to be, Noah? she cried, with a playful smile, and turning her bright, blue eyes on me.
gpt
An Oliver Cromwell at least, as he was a man of the people; and you seem to have as good a headpiece as my valiant brother.
human
I wish, I said with a sigh, which I could not repress,
gpt
Perhaps you are as near obtaining your wish as Walter is. And why, Noah, do you wish to be a gentleman? You are much better off if you only knew it, as you are.
human
Come answer me, Noah, I want to know.
gpt
Indeed, Miss Ella, I cannot.
human
You can, and shall.
gpt
Oh, Miss Ella, can you ask that?
human
Why not? Your reasons, Mr. Noah. Your reasons.
gpt
Because, if I were a gentleman, Miss Ella, I might then hope that you would love me; and that I might one day ask you for my wife.
human
she cried!