human
I'm surprised at you. Why were you so foolish as to fall down that well? Don't you know it's a dangerous thing to do? You might have broken your neck in the fall, or been drowned in the water.
gpt
Bilbil, replied the King solemnly,
human
I imagine nothing, retorted Bilbil.
gpt
I only know you were there.
human
There? Heh-heh-heek-keek-eek! To be sure I was there, laughed Rinkitink.
gpt
There in a dark hole, where there was no light; there in a watery well, where the wetness soaked me through and through--keek-eek-eek-eek!--through and through!
human
How did it happen?
gpt
I was running away from the enemy, explained the King,
human
If the warriors had heard you, said Bilbil,
gpt
Work! exclaimed Rinkitink.
human
Me work? Hoo, hoo, heek-keek-eek! How absurd! I'm so stout--not to say chubby--not to say fat--that I can hardly walk, and I couldn't earn my salt at hard work. So I'm glad the enemy did not find me, Bilbil. How many others escaped?
gpt
That I do not know, replied the boy,
human
An excellent idea, declared Rinkitink.
gpt
I am somewhat feeble from my long confinement in the well, but I can ride upon Bilbil's back and we may as well start at once.