human
Young man, remarked Cale Vaughn, addressing Chunky,
gpt
It would make a fine and dandy story,
human
It would, admitted Cale,
gpt
Don't talk too much, continued the guide,
human
Yes, admitted Stacy Brown, assuming the air of a man of the world.
gpt
I've had so much trouble that I've grown old in it.
human
But not trouble that my tongue got me into, he made haste to add.
gpt
I'm a silent, thoughtful sort of fellow. If you haven't seen enough of me to know that, then just ask these fellows.
human
Yes, Cale, cried Ned.
gpt
Chunky's deaf and dumb when he's asleep or eating.
human
Young man, the next time you get into difficulties, just hold an honest, searching experience meeting with yourself, suggested Cale dryly,
gpt
I'm sorry we missed the bull moose incident, sighed Ned Rector.
human
I knew that if Stacy stayed behind something surely would happen, but I never dreamed that it would be anything that I'd hate to miss.
gpt
It wasn't much fun at the time--take my word for that,
human
No, but it is going to be a great event one of these days,
gpt
When?
human
When we see Chunky's version of the affair in the home paper. After that paper comes out, though, I am going to teach Chunky a lesson.
gpt
What kind of a lesson?
human
After your story comes out in home print, laughed Ned,
gpt
I'm going to take all the wind out of your sails by telling everybody in town the real version of the affair.
human
You just dare,
gpt
Why? queried Walter mildly.
human
Do you mean, Stacy, that you would knowingly give a false version to the home paper, and that you'd resent having Ned tell the people the straight account of the matter?
gpt
I mean, sputtered Chunky.
human
I mean--Well, I mean that I won't have anybody else mixing up in my business and trying to make me look ridiculous. That's what I mean, and I mean it.
gpt
No fellow looks half so ridiculous, put in Tad quietly,
human
Yes. And it was a mighty good story, too, declared young Brown.
gpt
The editor told me so.
human
What do you suppose no less than three persons at home asked me? Tad went on.
gpt
They wanted to know how it was that you never did anything at home to amount to a hill of beans, yet, as soon as you got a few hundred miles away, you invariably began to prove yourself a wonder. You see people are beginning to size your stories up.
human
Who asked you that?