human
Pity those two were born Frenchmen, Rodd, my boy, said the doctor,
gpt
Is there, uncle?
human
Yes, sir, there is. Certainly. I am not your father, but I am your uncle, and it gratifies me very much to see the polished, almost reverent way in which that lad behaves towards the Count. It's polite, and it's respectful, and it's--er--it's--er--
gpt
Why, you wouldn't like it, uncle, if I were to behave to you just as he does to the Count.
human
Well, not exactly, Rodney, but there's something very nice about it. Great pity, though, that they are French, and so corroded, so crusted over, as I may call it, with a sort of hero-worship for that tyrannical usurper. There, I won't mention his name.
gpt
That's right, uncle; don't, please.
human
Why, sir?
gpt
Because it always makes you so cross, uncle.
human
Now, Rodney, that's what I don't like. If I have an antipathy to a scoundrel, and speak out firmly as an Englishman should, it is not for a boy like you to say I am cross; and I am quite sure that young Morny would have had too much common-sense to speak out like that to his father. It is a great pity, though, that they are both, as I say, so eaten up with that hero-worship, and I am very much afraid that I spoke a little too plainly to the Count to-day. It was rather unfortunate too. It was just when we had been having a very interesting conversation upon the medusae, especially those of a phosphorescent nature. By the way, has Morny said much to you about the object of their research?
gpt
No, uncle. He always seems disinclined to speak.
human
Humph! Yes, he does seem very reticent. His father as good as said, as I think I told you, that this was a voyage of discovery, a search for something he wanted to take back, and which was to make his country very great. But he has never said what, and it would be so very ungentlemanly to seem curious.
gpt
But you do feel curious to know, don't you, uncle?
human
Well, I must confess, my boy, that I do--a little jealous, perhaps, of another man's success, for I did learn as much as this, that he felt pretty sure of being successful if he could get the brig sound again. Well, I suppose we shall know some day.
gpt
I don't like to say any more to Morny, uncle. It would seem so small; and besides, he never questions me anything about what we are doing-- only seems very much interested.
human
You are quite right, Rodd. It would be mean and petty. Leave it to them, and if they like to take us into their confidence, well and good. If they do not, well, it is no business of ours.
gpt
Why, uncle, cried Rodd suddenly, and then he stopped.
human
It isn't because--
gpt
Well, my boy? It isn't because what?
human
Oh, I don't like to say, uncle. You would laugh at me.
gpt
How do you know that? Wait and see, cried Uncle Paul.
human
Now then, what were you thinking?
gpt
I was wondering whether they could be trying to discover that which we found quite by accident.
human
That which we found quite by accident, Pickle?
gpt
Yes, uncle, and that may be the reason why they don't like to talk about it. You see, all ships' captains and people have been so laughed at, and told that they are inventing fables, that they are very quiet and like to keep things to themselves, just the same as Captain Chubb was when we saw that thing. You see, uncle--
human
Go on, Pickle! Go on!
gpt
Oh, I haven't much more to say, uncle, only this--if ordinary captains are so particular about speaking, and so afraid of ridicule, wouldn't a big scientific man like the Count, who has fitted out an expedition for the discovery, be very careful too, lest the object of his voyage should get about? But oh, nonsense! It's ridiculous. It can't be that. Don't laugh at me, uncle. It's only what I thought.
human
I was not going to laugh at you, Rodney, my boy, said the doctor quietly,
gpt
I am glad you think so, uncle,
human
No, no, no; don't take it like that. It may be after all only a fancy of yours.
gpt
Yes, uncle, but if that's what they are searching for, to prove that there are such--such--er--what-you-may-call-'ems in the sea--
human
Phenomena, boy--phenomena,
gpt
Yes, uncle; phenomena--wouldn't it be an act of kindness to tell them that we have already made the discovery, and try to show them the part of the ocean where such creatures are to be found?
human
Hum! No, my boy. No. We should be making matters worse. Not only should we be showing the Count and his son that we have found out what they want to keep secret, but we should be robbing them of the honour of their discovery as well. No; let them take us into their confidence if they like, and if they do, so much the better. If they do not--well, the loss is theirs.
gpt
Our skipper's as right as can be, Morny,