human
Henpecked, we could see, like all the rest of us, and we looked upon him more as a big schoolfellow than as a master, and minded him accordingly. We therefore accepted the Henniker's departure as a signal for leaving off work and seizing the opportunity to loosen our tongues and look about us. Hawkesbury happened to be sitting next to me. He put down his pen, and, leaning back against the desk behind him, yawned and said,
gpt
I say, Batchelor, I hope you and Smith haven't been quarrelling?
human
Quarrelling! exclaimed I, astounded at the bare notion.
gpt
Why, whatever puts that into your head?
human
Oh, said he, with his usual smile,
gpt
Of course it isn't,
human
I haven't seen you talking to him so often lately; that's why, said Hawkesbury;
gpt
How can I talk to him, except on the sly, in this place? Never fear, Jack Smith and I know one another too well to fall out.
human
Ah, he is a mysterious fellow, and he lets so few people into his secrets.
gpt
Yes, said I, colouring a little.
human
He doesn't even let me into them.
gpt
Of course you know where he came from first of all, and all that?
human
No, I don't,
gpt
What, not know about-- But I'd better not talk about it. It's not honourable to talk about another boy's affairs.
human
Hawkesbury, said Mr Hashford at this moment,