human
The majority was one, a casting vote, he said.
gpt
If you are referring to my plowing for some of your people, I did not persuade them. They saw the advantage of mechanical traction and asked me to bring the engine over.
human
The explanation doesn't take us far. It's obvious that they couldn't have experimented without your help.
gpt
I hardly think that's so. There are dealers in Winnipeg and Toronto who would be glad to sell them the machines. If three or four combined, they could keep an engine busy and the cost wouldn't be prohibitive.
human
Our people are not mechanics,
gpt
I'm not sure that's a matter for congratulation, Harding answered with a smile.
human
But I never drove a steam-plow until a few weeks ago, and there seems to be no reason why your friends shouldn't learn. You don't claim that they're less intelligent than I am.
gpt
Your talents run in this direction,
human
In a way, that's fortunate. When you're farming for a profit, you want to be able to do a little of everything. Some of the Allenwood boys are pretty good horse-breakers, and you approve; why managing an engine should be objectionable isn't very plain.
gpt
It is not my intention to argue these matters with you.
human
Then what is it you want me to do?
gpt
To be content with using these machines on your own land. I must ask you to leave Allenwood alone.
human
I'm afraid you ask too much, Harding replied.
gpt
I can't break off the arrangements now without a loss to your friends and myself, and I see no reason why I should do so.
human
Do you consider it gentlemanly conduct to prompt men who acknowledge me as their leader to thwart my wishes?
gpt
Hardly so. Where you have a clear right to forbid anything that might be hurtful to the settlement, I'd be sorry to interfere.
human
Do you presume to judge between my people and me?
gpt
Oh, no, Harding answered with good humor.
human
That's not my business; but I reserve the right to do what's likely to pay me, and to make friends with whom I please, whether they belong to Allenwood or not.
gpt
Then there's nothing more to be said. Your only standard seems to be what is profitable.
human
Guess the Colonel isn't used to back talk, Craig. If he wasn't quite so high-toned, he'd go home and throw things about. What he wants is somebody to stand right up to him. You'll have him plumb up against you right along; where you look at a thing one way, he looks at it another. It's clean impossible that you should agree.
gpt
I'm afraid that's so, said Harding.
human
And now we'll make a start again.