human
Confound these--! Tom, you scoundrel, am I to stick here all day?
gpt
No, father, I don't suppose you will. I shall help you directly.
human
Well, then, why don't you do it?
gpt
Because I must come to terms. You don't think I'd help myself to a thrashing, do you?
human
I won't thrash you, Tom. Shiver my timbers if I do.
gpt
They're in a fair way of being shivered as it is, I think. Now, father, we're both even.
human
How's that?
gpt
Why you clapped a stopper over all on me this morning, and now you've got one on yourself.
human
Well, then, take off mine, and I'll take off yours.
gpt
If I unlock your leg, you'll unlock the cupboard?
human
Yes.
gpt
And you promise me a _stiff one_ after dinner?
human
Yes, yes, as stiff as I stand here.
gpt
No, that will be too much, for it would _set me fast_. I only like it about half-and-half, as I took it just now.
human
It's an ill wind that blows nobody good. The _loss_ of my leg has been the _saving_ of you many a time, Mr Tom.