human
Well, may I be jotally tiggered--I mean totally jiggered!
gpt
You'll be worse than that if you keep on with those things, asserted Frank.
human
You'll be totally wrecked.
gpt
This is the first time you have had the crust to deliberately tell me that I must do anything, growled Harry, resentfully.
human
And I feel free to say that I don't like it much. It is carrying the thing altogether too far. I have never told you that you must do this thing or you mustn't do that. I should have considered that I was beddling with something that was none of my misness--er--meddling with something that was none of my business.
gpt
Don't fly off the handle so quick, old man. I am speaking for your own good, and you should know it.
human
Thank you!
gpt
But I am in earnest.
human
Really?
gpt
Come now, said Frank,
human
Talk it over, eh? I don't know why we should talk over a matter that concerns me alone.
gpt
Your dinner did not set well. I never saw you so touchy in all my life. You know I am your friend, old man, and there is no reason why you should show such a spirit toward me.
human
I don't like to be told what I must do and what I mustn't by anybody. That's all there is about it.
gpt
Well, I suppose you will have your own way, but I want to explain why I said what I did. You know we are out to beat the sophs in the boat race.
human
Sure.
gpt
Well, in order to do it every man of us must be in the pink of condition. You are not drinking, and Old Put doesn't know how much you are smoking. If he did he would call you down or drop you. It is pretty certain that Gordon would take your place.
human
Well, I suppose you are going to tell Old Put all about it? Is that what you mean?
gpt
Not exactly. But you know I have as much interest in the makeup of our crew as Old Put, although he is the man who really has charge of us.
human
Well?
gpt
If I were to say so, you would be taken out and some one else would fill your place.
human
And would you do that?
gpt
Not unless forced to do so. You should know, Harry, that I am ready to stick by you in anything--if I can.
human
If you can! I don't understand that--hang me, if I do! If I have a friend I am going to stick to him through anything, right or wrong!
gpt
That's first rate and it is all right. If you get into any trouble, I fancy you will not find anybody who will stand by you any longer. But this matter is different. You are in training, and you are not supposed to smoke at all, but you get here in this room and puff away by the hour.
human
What harm does it do?
gpt
A great deal.
human
Get out! It doesn't make a dit of bifference.