human
Shall we try that place in there?
gpt
I'm for it, he answered, with a nod.
human
I'm not going to be a poor fish any longer. I don't care if they meet us with a shotgun committee.
gpt
I never suspected you were a fighter,
human
I'm not. I'm a baseball player, by rights. That was what they call the hit-and-run play.
gpt
Well, I think you did excellently, Peter. I was just getting ready to do something like that myself. Was his nose bleeding?
human
Here's hoping. While I don't claim to be within a mile of Signor Antonio Valentino's class, I have a fixed impression that by this time the young gentleman has a beak like a pelican.
gpt
I'm glad Mr. Marshall wasn't there,
human
Why?
gpt
If he had hit him the young man would probably be dead, and then we'd have lots of trouble.
human
Now, that, said Pete, in an aggrieved tone,
gpt
Nonsense! He's not in my head. I said I was glad he wasn't there, didn't I? And I explained why. I didn't mean to take any credit away from you at all. Don't be so sensitive. Are you hungry?
human
There! Now you've done it. I've been busy trying to forget it and you've deliberately made me remember it. Of course I'm hungry. If I don't eat I'm going to die.
gpt
So am I.
human
I don't see any cocoanut palms or breadfruit trees, he said.
gpt
That's what we're supposed to live on, isn't it? I don't even see a drink of water. It's an awful come-down for a pair of Robinson Crusoes, but it looks as if I'd have to go to somebody's kitchen door and ask for a handout.
human
Never, said Mary.
gpt
I'll starve first.
human
I don't think that's a very clever revenge. I'm still pusillanimous enough to eat. I'll scout around.
gpt
No!
human
But why not?
gpt
Because I feel ridiculous enough as it is,
human
But I might be able to locate some of our society friends. We're supposed to have friends here, aren't we?
gpt
I wouldn't dream of appealing to them.
human
Do you expect to sit here for the rest of your life?
gpt
I don't care. I'm not going to humiliate myself any further. We might meet another man and----
human
But I'll soak him for you. Honest.
gpt
We might meet several.
human
It doesn't take you long to collect a crowd, does it? he said.
gpt
You can invent whole armies right out of your head. Be cheerful and take it the other way around; we may not meet anybody at all.
human
You stay here, then, and I'll reconnoiter.
gpt
No! I don't intend to be left alone.
human
Let's hoist a signal of distress, then. That's always been done and it's considered perfectly good form.
gpt
No.
human
All right. Starve!
gpt
I don't believe you'd care if I did.