human
How are you getting on, Batchelor? said the former presently to me.
gpt
Don't be afraid of that bottle, man, it's only whisky!
human
Don't you believe him; it's gin,
gpt
I thought you said it was brandy,
human
There you are! said Masham.
gpt
One says one thing, one another, and one another. Now I tell you what, Batchelor shall be umpire, and we'll each put five shillings on it, eh? What do you say to that?
human
I'd rather not bet, replied Hawkesbury,
gpt
I'll go half-sovs. with you on it,
human
Done with you! said Masham;
gpt
I'd rather not bet, said Hawkesbury,
human
Thanks. Now, Batchelor, fill up, old toper, and give us your verdict.
gpt
I really am no judge of spirits, said I.
human
Innocent babe, said Masham,
gpt
added he, winking at the other two.
human
What rule?
gpt
Why, about hanging back. Half a tumbler for every twenty seconds, isn't that it, Whipcord?
human
I thought it was a whole tumbler!
gpt
Ah, wouldn't you take your time to decide, eh? Come now, said Masham, taking out his watch,
human
Hold hard, said Whipcord.
gpt
Surely we are to have glasses too, to see if he guesses right.
human
Very well, fill all round. Now, Batchelor.
gpt
I really can't do it, I said, faintly.
human
Five seconds gone! bawled Masham, laughing.
gpt
Please, don't be so foolish, I cried, getting alarmed.
human
Hawkesbury, please stop them!
gpt
Ten seconds gone, eleven, twelve!
human
I tell you, I--
gpt
Seventeen, eighteen,