human
Ingenious, as you say, but most improbable. There must certainly be a simpler solution, he said.
gpt
But what of the patient--is he progressing as could be expected? Yes. That is good. It will leave me more time to work in my investigating capacity. By the way, Mr. Carrington, I suppose you don't know if your father belongs to any societies--of an unusual kind, I mean? Nihilistic, for instance, or of a secret nature?
human
No, I am not aware of his connection with any illegal institutions, replied Laurence coldly.
gpt
I may as well mention that my father is a gentleman and a magistrate.
human
Quite so. I ascertained that such was the case before I left London--reference books, you know. I should have discovered by this time, though, that he was a gentleman by your boots.
gpt
My boots!
human
Exactly. I can always tell a gentleman by his boots and a lady by her fingers--rings, you know. If you are a gentleman presumably your father is also.
gpt
You're going to treat this case too lightly, he said;
human
Then you think we can, in your father's case, exclude any idea of a secret connection with some society, such as that I refer to? Take that useful word 'jar,' then, and remove the centre letter.
gpt
Really, Mr. Potter, I fail to understand you. Is this professional jargon necessary? Personally, I am a plain-spoken person.