human
Greetings, Potter, said La Mothe.
gpt
You're looking bang-up for a fellow that was all fitted to a coffin. We were taking up a subscription to send you a floral pillow.... You remember Cantor?
human
Yes, said Potter, extending his hand.
gpt
You're making quite a stay in Detroit.
human
He's joined the lodge, La Mothe remarked.
gpt
Shouldn't be surprised if he squatted. Eh, Cantor?
human
I find Detroit very attractive, especially to a business man, said Cantor.
gpt
I've even thought of making it my home.
human
That's about the best compliment you could pay the city, said Potter, but in his mind he was saying over and over:
gpt
What is it? What is there about him? Where does he fit in?
human
I've never had an opportunity to present some letters I have from friends of yours, Mr. Waite. But here they are.
gpt
From Tom Herkimer and George Striker, eh? said Potter, glancing over the notes.
human
They seem to be rather strong for you. I'm not very useful as an acquaintance just now, but as soon as I'm on my feet--
gpt
As soon as you're on your feet, said La Mothe,
human
I'm interested in mill-work and manufacturing efficiency, said Cantor.
gpt
It's an important part of my business.
human
I'd say it was _all_ of your business, said La Mothe, with a laugh.
gpt
I'll bet he could draw from memory the plans of half the plants in Detroit.
human
Speaking of plants, said La Mothe,
gpt
Dirty business, Cantor said, easily.
human
Trouble developed last week in the Delmont Machine Company's shops. They found somebody had put emery in the bearings.
gpt
Any war news?
human
Nothing big since Warsaw fell. Looks as if Russia was about done,
gpt
The war's going into its second year, said Cantor.
human
Who thought it could last a year?
gpt
Looks as if we might have a little war of our own one of these days. Mexico's in need of a cleaning up,
human
It's been Germany's year, Potter said.
gpt
Only for the Marne--
human
It looks as if she couldn't be beaten,
gpt
She's got to be beaten, Potter replied.
human
The sort of thing Germany stands for to-day has got to be wiped out--wiped clean off the slate.
gpt
Hang the war! La Mothe said, impatiently.
human
Can't we talk about anything else? When does the sawbones tell you you can come out and play with the boys, Potter?
gpt
In a week or two now.
human
We'll have to pull a party for you. Welcome you back and all that. The crowd'll be glad to see you around.
gpt
I'm going to work,
human
Whoop! exclaimed La Mothe.
gpt
At what and wherefore?
human
Fred, Potter said,
gpt
I want to talk things over with you and some of the boys. I'm going to need your help--all the fellows who are in the automobile game. I've laid around for three months with nothing to do but think, and I'm here to say that the old stuff doesn't go. We've got to take off our coats and get to work.
human
At what?
gpt
Aeroplanes,
human
I thought you had about all the aeroplane that was coming to you. Why aeroplanes?
gpt
The country's going to need them, and Detroit's got to make the engines. You seemed to be surprised that the war had lasted a year, Mr. Cantor. My idea is that it's just begun. It'll spread, and it will spread to us. We'll be in it.
human
Rats!
gpt
Germany has run wild with the notion of grabbing the world, Potter said.
human
If she gets away with Europe we'll come next.
gpt
Fat chance. Germany doesn't want any of our action. Look how she backed down on the submarine stuff.
human
You've got the old notion, Fred, that nobody can get at us and that we can lick all creation. If Germany's hands were free she could land an army on our coast, and before we could start to get ready to fight we'd be licked. We're like cake in an unlocked cupboard, and Germany's a hungry boy. We'd be gobbled.
gpt
Oh, say, Potter--
human
Think it over. The day'll come when this country will need thousands upon thousands of aeroplanes--all of a sudden. When it comes it'll be sudden, and we'll be caught. We won't have an army, we won't have equipment--and we won't have aeroplanes, which will be harder to get than anything else. That's going to be my business. Getting ready for the aeroplane end of it. And I want you fellows to help.
gpt
You've been laying around too much, Potter. You've been sick, that's what's the matter with you.
human
Think about it, anyhow, will you, Fred? Great heavens! you've got brains.
gpt
Much 'bliged, said Fred.
human
Cantor, let's be wiggling on. We're exciting the invalid. See you again soon, old man,
gpt
When you're around again, he said,
human
I'm going to bother you. You interest me--about the aeroplanes.... And I want to see your plant. Making munitions, aren't you?
gpt
Yes, said Potter,
human
He paused, and his eyes darkened. He fixed them on Cantor and said, suddenly,
gpt
You weren't fishing up at the Flats about the time I was hurt, were you--back in the marsh?
human
Flats? No. What are the Flats, Mr. Waite?
gpt
It's nothing. I guess you got mixed up in a dream of mine.
human
Dreams are queer,
gpt
Damn vivid dream, though, said Potter.
human
Come again, fellows. My regards to the crowd.