human
I've been out in the park, said he, when we had exchanged by way of greeting a
gpt
Hello, Boy and
human
Hello, Man.
gpt
Meet any chamois?
human
Yes.
gpt
Honour bright? An inspection of the park from my window led me to fear that they must be an engaging myth. There's a fine big garden, with a lot of trees in it, but as for rocks or chamois----
human
There are both. Come out and I'll show you.
gpt
We have reason to believe that we are well connected, they seemed to bleat,
human
I believe, said the Boy pitifully,
gpt
I would, however, said I, full of my project,
human
What do you meant
gpt
Let's have breakfast out of doors on a little table under the trees, and I'll tell you. Here's one in the shade, and away from the--er--a certain chamois-ness in the air. I pulled up chairs, and raised my hand to a hovering waiter.
human
What I mean to say is, I went on,
gpt
You're going up--Mont Blanc?
human
I am, my Kid.
gpt
No.
human
Why not?
gpt
Because--you might be killed.
human
Good heavens, one would think I was Icarus, gluing a pair of wax wings on to my shoulder-blades for a flight into ether. I'm not exactly a novice at the game, you know, though I haven't done any snow-climbing. Why, you little donkey, you look pale. What's the matter with you?
gpt
Do you know what happened this morning--or rather last night? the Boy replied to my question with another.
human
Did any of the hotel people tell you?
gpt
No. Don't be mysterious before breakfast. It isn't good for the digestion.
human
Don't joke. I wasn't going to say anything about it till afterwards, in case you hadn't heard; but now I will. The _femme de chambre_ told me. The news has just come that a young guide has died of exhaustion on the mountain, between the Observatory and the Grands Mulets. Two others who were with him had to leave him lying dead, after dragging the body down a long way.
gpt
You can see the dead man lying on the snow, far up on the mountain, said he eagerly,
human
I shall see about a guide directly after breakfast, said I,
gpt
No, I won't know it, returned the Boy obstinately.
human
For one thing, the cannon might be fired for someone else, and besides, I won't be here.
gpt
Oh, you'll go on with the Contessa? But I shouldn't be surprised if she were good-natured enough to wait at Chamounix to congratulate me when I come down.
human
No doubt she thinks enough of you to do that. But what I mean is this: if you go up Mont Blanc, I'm going too.
gpt
Nonsense! You'll do nothing of the kind. You are a very plucky chap, but you're not a Hercules yet, whatever you may develop into ten years from now. No minors are permitted to ascend Mont Blanc.
human
I won't take you.
gpt
I don't ask you to. I shan't start until after you've gone, so, you see, you'll have no power to prevent me.
human
You are simply talking rot, my dear boy. Good heavens, you'd die of mountain sickness or exhaustion before you were half-way up.
gpt
Perhaps. I know very little about my ability as a climber, for I've never made any big ascents, though I've scrambled about in the mountains a little at home.
human
It would be madness for you to attempt such a thing. Why, don't you know it taxes the endurance of a strong man? You've only lately recovered from an illness; you told me so yourself. I shan't allow you to----
gpt
You're not my keeper, you know.
human
But we are friends, pals. I ask you, as a great favour, to be sensible, and----
gpt
I asked you as a great favour not to go up Mont Blanc. Things happen. I have a feeling that something might happen to you. I should be--wretched while you were gone. I couldn't sit still under the suspense, feeling as I do. So I would follow your example.
human
There'd be no danger for me. There might be death for you.
gpt
Well, then, you can save my life if you like, by not going. If you don't go, I won't.
human
Of all the brutal tyrants who have tyrannised over mankind----
gpt
I heard you say once that you would like to have been a professional tyrant. Why shouldn't I qualify for the part?
human
You are cruel to put me in such a position.
gpt
You are cruel to make me do it, for your own selfish amusement.
human
By Jove! You talk like an exacting woman!
gpt
If I were a woman I don't think I would be an exacting one. I should only want people I--liked, to do things because they cared about me, otherwise favours would be of no value. We're pals, as you say, great pals, but if you don't care enough----
human
Oh, hang it all, Kid, I'll give the thing up, I broke in, crossly.
gpt
I'll potter about with you and the Contessa in Chamounix, and take some nice, pretty, proper walks. But all the same, you're a little brute.
human
Do you hate me?
gpt
Not precisely. But if I stop down here, Satan will certainly find mischief for my idle hands to do. I shall try to take your Contessa away from you, perhaps.
human
Oh, will you? Then I shall try to keep her; and we shall see which is the better man.