human
How well your men look, Morny said suddenly--
gpt
Yes, he looks rather thin and pale, doesn't he? said Rodd quickly;
human
Lazy,
gpt
Oh, I don't call it lazy. It's so jolly to be able to hang about in the sunshine without feeling that there's some great trouble coming on directly.
human
Ah, yes, replied Morny, with a sigh,
gpt
Well, said Rodd,
human
I don't think it's lazy. Uncle says that after you have been at work very hard it's like unstringing the bow; and so it is. I want to begin fishing or dredging or sounding again. I don't want any more shooting. Now, do you know what I should like just now?
gpt
No.
human
I'd soon show you then that I wasn't lazy. I should like to see one of those beautiful ripples two or three hundred yards off which show that there's a shoal of fish feeding on the transparent what-you-may-call-'ems--I forget Uncle Paul's name for them.
gpt
Well, if that would give you any satisfaction, said Morny, laughing,
human
I wish that a shoal would rise.
gpt
Don't you be in such a hurry; I hadn't finished. I was going to say I should then like to see one of those great sea-serpent-like creatures rise slowly from below, to begin feeding on the fish--one of those great scientific wonders that you and your father are trying to discover and capture; for that's it, I suppose, though you do keep so squat about it.
human
Ah-h-h!
gpt
It is quite a joke, that it is, continued Rodd.
human
It's just as if you were jealous and afraid that uncle and I would get beforehand with you, and win the credit of the discovery for old England, instead of you carrying it off for your _la belle France_.
gpt
Ah!
human
You French chaps are so sentimental. _La belle France_ indeed! Just as if old England or the British Isles weren't quite as beautiful! Only we don't go shouting about it everywhere. I say, Morny, you don't half believe in me.
gpt
It is false! cried the young Frenchman angrily.
human
Why, I believe in you more than in any one living--except my father.
gpt
Oh, indeed! cried Rodd banteringly.
human
And here since I have known you I have told you everything till I haven't a secret that I have kept from you.
gpt
Why, you have had no secrets,
human
Well--no; I suppose you couldn't call them secrets. But you've got one, and you have never let it out to me.
gpt
No, said Morny gravely,
human
Why, of course I don't, old chap. I don't want you to tell me till you like, only it is rather a joke sometimes that you make such a mystery of what uncle and I know as well as can be.
gpt
You know!
human
Why, of course I do. It's what I say. You want--I mean, your father does--to carry off the honour of having solved the mystery of the great fish or reptile that has been talked about for the last hundred years. I say, though, there's that other great old-world thing that they find in the rocks. What's his name?
gpt
Here, I've got it--the sea-sawyer! That isn't quite right, but it sounds something like it. Why, he must have been just like a great crocodile.
human
Ugh! Don't talk about them,
gpt
Eh, why not? There are none of them here. I wish we could have caught one to dry or stuff, or keep in spirits. I mean quite a little one, you know. Ah, those were rather horrid times, though, and I shan't want a specimen reptile to make me remember them.
human
No, said Morny musingly;
gpt
But I suppose it is nearly all over now, for our voyages will soon come to an end.
human
Oh no? cried Morny eagerly.
gpt
Why should they, now that your uncle and my father have become such friends?
human
Well, boys, said the Count gravely,
gpt
Rodd was saying that he supposed our friendship would soon come to an end.
human
Indeed? cried the Count, raising his eyebrows and turning to give a meaning glance at Uncle Paul.
gpt
Why should it, eh, my lad? I thought you and Morny had become such fast friends.
human
Yes, so we have, sir, cried Rodd, flushing;
gpt
Do you wish this to be so?
human
I? Oh no, sir.
gpt
And you, Morny, my son?
human
I, my father? They should not go away if I could stop it.
gpt
You hear, doctor? Is not this strange after what we have been saying in the cabin. I tell you again, before long I will be quite open with you about the object of my voyage. At present I ask you not to press me.
human
I have told you, said the doctor, smiling,
gpt
Yes, yes, and I have told you too that you could be of the greatest service to me by following close at hand, and that I should always be most grateful if without injury to your own cruise you would keep in company with me for the present.
human
Ready to help in case of further emergencies?
gpt
No, cried the Count warmly;
human
No-o, said the doctor carelessly;
gpt
I am just as likely to make discoveries far out to sea as close inshore.
human
Then stay with us for the present. I ask it as a friend, while I guarantee that you shall not suffer by what you do for me.
gpt
Well, said the doctor, slowly and thoughtfully, as he looked at the two lads, who were intently listening for his words,
human
Am I to be judge, uncle? said the boy merrily.
gpt
Yes, if you like.
human
Well, then, said the lad, with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, as he found that Morny with lips parted was gazing at him with a look of appeal,
gpt
What are you saying, Rodd?
human
Oh, I mean that we have helped you a bit, but you have been very unlucky since we have been together. Still, if Morny doesn't mind risking it, and doesn't mind putting up with my jokes about _la belle France_, and yours, uncle, about the Emperor Napoleon--
gpt
continued Rodd,
human
I suppose you, sir, have found out that at heart uncle is very fond of the Emperor, and admires him very much--
gpt
You impudent young scoundrel, how dare you! growled the doctor.
human
Bah! he muttered to himself,
gpt
Temper! Then turning quickly to the Count, he said almost apologetically,
human
Don't take any notice. I have spoilt him, sir; I have spoilt him. Look here, my dear sir; I shall very much regret the day when we have to part, for my own sake and for my nephew's, for since he has had the advantage of your son's companionship I have been in hopes that he would acquire something of his refinement and polish, and that it might lead in time to his achieving to somewhat of the carriage of a gentleman. I regret to say that so far he is as rough and boorish as ever. Still, in the hope that every one of his opportunities may not be thrown away, I shall be glad to prolong the intimacy a little longer. There, sir, he snapped out, as he turned sharply upon Rodd,
gpt
It's all right, Morny, said the boy quietly.
human
Go on polishing. I'll be more attentive now, uncle.