human
Huh!
gpt
Looks as if it's working all right, doesn't it?
human
It certainly does. It'll be a great thing for me if he gets the place drained for that land is a piece of the best. Don't see how he's doing it. I had an expert engineer here to dry up that section and he couldn't accomplish a thing. Said the only way was to ditch it to the lake, then fill in the hole, use a lot of lime, like a concrete mixer and bring the hill forward. A mighty expensive job it would have been and then part of the land wouldn't be very good,
gpt
Reckon this boy is some sort of wizard. He's bewitching it,
human
Wish we knew something about him,
gpt
Don't blame you for being interested, Bob, but we like to mind our own business around here. They seem to be honest and capable and don't interfere with what doesn't concern them--
human
Oh, we're not going to make blooming pests of ourselves, but we thought it would be fun to get acquainted with him. Wish he could speak English,
gpt
I don't believe that he's spoken to anyone since they came. His uncle speaks fairly well. He seems upstanding. There isn't any harm in trying to make friends with the boy, but I wouldn't--
human
Butt-in? We won't unless he's willing to have us. Know what he reminds me of, Bob?
gpt
What?
human
Some of those Indians, the chiefs, you know the fellows that are so straight, clear-eyed, and sort of fine. He seems like that, only maybe an even better sort. The Indians we see now aren't so much like that.
gpt
He is a little like that, but I don't believe he's an Indian. Maybe he's like they used to be a long time ago before the white men took all the pep out of them,
human
I don't know any Indians, but I never heard that they were very hard workers, not farmers I mean. It would be queer for one to be interested in that sort of thing. They like hunting--
gpt
Yes, that's right. Dad said a few of them made good cow punchers, but they never got much chance to show what they might do.
human
It is good?
gpt
Very fine, Mr. Fenton answered heartily, then he added,
human
You must not let the boy work too hard. He does not look very strong. Why not have one of the men help him in what he is doing? I can get a chap who will do as he's directed, and this piece of work will be a great improvement to the property.
gpt
That would be so excellent,
human
All right. I'll have him here in the morning.
gpt
He can the English speak?
human
Sure. You can talk to him, and I'll tell him I want him to follow any instructions you give him.
gpt
We better look after Her Highness before it gets too late,
human
All right, Bob agreed, then turning to the boy, he grinned.
gpt
So long, Old Top!
human
Old Top, he repeated,