human
I guess I don't get my dollars easily, he said.
gpt
There are quite a few ways of making them, but the one the sensible man has the least use for is with the hammer and drill. Still, I'm going back to the city, and we'll try another one presently. You'll stay here about a week, and then there'll be work for you. I've heard of something while you were away.
human
So have I! said Brooke.
gpt
I met Devine, and he gave me an opportunity of entering his service.
human
You took it?
gpt
No, said Brooke, drily,
human
I did not. I had one or two reasons for not doing so, though I feel it is very probable that you would not appreciate them.
gpt
Well, he said,
human
I guess I wouldn't--after what I've seen of you. Still, can't you understand what kind of chance you've thrown away? I might have made 'most anything out of the pointers you could have picked up and given me.
gpt
I don't think you could, he said.
human
As a matter of fact, I wouldn't have given you any.
gpt
Now, he said,
human
I want a straight answer. Are you going back on your bargain?
gpt
No. If I had meant to do that, I should naturally have taken Devine's offer. As I have told you a good many times already, I am going to get my six thousand dollars out of him. That is, of course, if we can manage it, about which I am more than a little doubtful.
human
You would never get six dollars out of anybody who wasn't quite willing to let you have them, he said.
gpt
A struggling man has no use for the notions you seem proud of.
human
I really can't help having them,
gpt
Well, he said,
human
How is that going to help us?
gpt
Since Leeson made that contract, he got the offer of another that would pay him better, and he's willing to pass it on at Devine's figure to any one who will take it off his hands. Now, I'll find you a man or two and tools, and when they're ready, you'll start right away for the Canopus and build that flume.
human
The difficulty is that I haven't the least notion how to build a flume.
gpt
Then I guess you have got to learn, and there are plenty of men to be hired in the bush who do. You know how to rough down redwood logs and blow out rocks?
human
Then the thing's quite easy, he said.
gpt
You look at the one they've got already, and make another like it. Haven't you found out yet that a man can do 'most anything that another one can?
human
Well, said Brooke,
gpt
I'll try it, but that brings us to the question, what else do you expect from me? It is very probable that I shall make an unfortunate mistake for both of us, if you leave me in the dark. I want to understand the position.