human
Rosa told me all you said and where you'd gone and that we were to go to-night. Oh, isn't it splendid!
gpt
You'll be ready?
human
Oh, no. I shall take care to miss the train, of course. Make a point of it, she cried, her eyes as bright as diamonds.
gpt
I shall have a cab, tell every one I'm going to England and---- How can you ask such a silly question, Jack?
human
Steady. Not that name till we're in Holland anyhow.
gpt
Do you expect me to be steady at such a time, Herr Lassen?
human
I shan't be Lassen after this, mind. This thing I've got in my pocket christens me Johann Liebe.
gpt
Let me look at it. I declare I could almost kiss it, she exclaimed, when I showed it to her.
human
And now we'll be sensible. What are my marching orders?
gpt
Flying orders, we call them. Well, I still hope we shall travel in state under Government patronage, and----
human
I hope not, she broke in.
gpt
I'd much rather go on the 'third wheel,' you know. It would be glorious fun. I don't want to have to scrap my disguise and have had all my trouble for nothing.
human
That's all right; but the other wheel's both safer and quicker, thank you. All the same you'd better bring the props along in case things go wrong. One never knows. Do you want to bother with any luggage?
gpt
A comb and a toothbrush, a few hairpins and a pair of scissors. That too much?
human
Rather not; but why scissors?
gpt
You don't want your assistant to have long hair, do you? And it might be injudicious to worry a barber.
human
I never thought of that. By Jove, it would be a beastly shame to have to cut off that lovely wig of yours.
gpt
A thousand times better than an internment camp, she replied, sobered by the mere thought of it. But only for the moment; she was too wildly excited at the prospect of going home for anything to damp her spirits.
human
Why, I'd do it only to play the part of Hans Bulich for an hour.
gpt
Who's Hans Bulich?
human
Your assistant that hopes to be, of course. You're surely not going to begin by forgetting essentials?
gpt
I had forgotten for the moment.
human
Well, don't forget again. Shall I spell it for you?
gpt
Don't give me any of your lip, 'Hans,'
human
All right, matey, keep your hand on the brake,
gpt
You'll do, boy, I said, laughing.
human
And now let's remember this isn't going to be all mere chaff, and I told her my plan. She was to be at the station a quarter of an hour before the train started and look out for me in the waiting-room.
gpt
If things go right with von Gratzen, that'll be the ladies' room; if not, then the third class. I'll manage to 'phone you in time for the necessary make-up. As for the rest, it's up to us to manage the best we can.
human
If we have to go disguised, are you going to risk the mail train then?
gpt
There won't be any risk to speak of now that I've got this; tapping my pocket.
human
Of course we can't go all the way because I haven't a passport; but we'll get as near the frontier as we can. Osnabr𡡷k, probably; but I'll have the tickets all right. And now I must be off.
gpt
I wish my silly heart wouldn't beat like a racing 40 h.p., but I'll have it in good order when we meet again.
human
It's a good thing I don't make it beat, eh?
gpt
Hands off, matey, replied
human
Hans,
gpt
You must drop that habit, young 'un. You've got to think about other 40 h.p.'s, you know;