human
IT'S THE CHERUB
gpt
Good morning, said John, again smiling and hoping he had not stared too rudely.
human
It gives me great pleasure to meet you.
gpt
My name's Chick,
human
That's a funny name,
gpt
Yes, it _is_ funny, the child agreed, with a friendly nod.
human
Chick means a chicken, you know. But I'm not a chicken.
gpt
Of course not, returned John.
human
A chicken is covered with feathers. And you are not.
gpt
I'm the Incubator Baby, you know.
human
Dear me, I hadn't the least idea of it, John answered gravely.
gpt
May I ask what an Incubator Baby is?
human
How funny! it gurgled;
gpt
I am,
human
Then, of course, you are very ignorant,
gpt
Oh, as for that, said John,
human
I acquired, in course of manufacture, a vast deal of ancient learning, which I got from an Arabian Elixir with which the baker mixed me. I am well posted in all events down to the last century, but I cannot recall any knowledge of an Incubator Baby.
gpt
No, they're a recent invention, declared the big-headed man, patting tenderly the child's golden curls.
human
Were you, by any chance, at the Pan-American Exposition? Or the Louisiana Purchase Exposition?
gpt
No, answered John.
human
My knowledge was corked up about then.
gpt
Well, continued the man,
human
I'm six years old and quite strong and well.
gpt
Tut-tut, Chick! remonstrated the big-headed man;