human
Thanks to our good fortune, said the man who kneeled,
gpt
Pinkerbloo, answered Rinkitink sternly,
human
I must have you hanged, for thus finding me against my will.
gpt
You think so now, Your Majesty, but you will never do it,
human
Why won't I?
gpt
Because you are much too tender-hearted, Your Majesty.
human
It may be--it may be, agreed Rinkitink, sadly.
gpt
It is one of my greatest failings. But what chance brought you here, my Lord Pinkerbloo?
human
We have searched for you everywhere, sire, and all the people of Gilgad have been in despair since you so mysteriously disappeared. We could not appoint a new King, because we did not know but that you still lived; so we set out to find you, dead or alive. After visiting many islands of the Nonestic Ocean we at last thought of Pingaree, from where come the precious pearls; and now our faithful quest has been rewarded.
gpt
And what now?
human
Now, Your Majesty, you must come home with us, like a good and dutiful King, and rule over your people,
gpt
I will not.
human
But you must--begging Your Majesty's pardon for the contradiction.
gpt
Kitticut, cried poor Rinkitink,
human
But someone must do this, Your Majesty, said Pinkerbloo respectfully,
gpt
moaned Rinkitink.
human
I would die willingly, rather than be a King--if it did not hurt so terribly to die.
gpt
You will find it much more comfortable to reign than to die, although I fully appreciate Your Majesty's difficult position and am truly sorry for you,
human
The man is right, dear Rinkitink. It is your duty to reign, since fate has made you a King, and I see no honorable escape for you. I shall grieve to lose your companionship, but I feel the separation cannot be avoided.
gpt
Then, said he, turning to Lord Pinkerbloo,