human
What are you doing?
gpt
Making diamonds, replied the other, calmly.
human
I suppose I am the only one in the world who ever succeeded in making real diamonds; but people did not believe in me, you see, so they sent me to the Isle of Phreex. Here I have manufactured the finest diamonds the world has ever known, for no one interferes with my work. Look at these.
gpt
Take some, said the man, offering him a handful.
human
They are of no use to me here, because I cannot dispose of them. But I have the satisfaction of making them, just the same. Help yourself!
gpt
No, thank you, said John.
human
I have no use for diamonds, any more than you have.
gpt
But the time may come when riches will be a great help to you,
human
There! he exclaimed.
gpt
They are now safely concealed, and if you ever need them you can dig them out and sell them. Those three stones would be worth several thousand dollars if you ever get into the world again, where diamonds are valued.
human
You are very generous,
gpt
Oh, not at all, I assure you! said the man, wagging his goatlike beard with every word he spoke.
human
In this curious island there is no value to anything whatever, not even to life. All I can do with my diamonds here is to stick them into the kinglet's crown and sceptre; so I'm getting a big stock of them laid by. Very soon I shall begin studding the roof of the throne-room with diamonds, and it will be a pretty sight to see them glittering in one mass.
gpt
Well, said our hero,
human
Never mind the rain, answered the man.
gpt
Here is a winding staircase that leads directly upward into the castle. If you go that way, the rain cannot reach you. The tunnel through which you entered is only used for ventilation.