human
I believe that fellow is laughing at us,
gpt
There is nothing to laugh at, answered the latter, unmoved.
human
But of course, if you think so, throw him downstairs.
gpt
There is a certain calmness about the suggestion, he said.
human
It has a good, old-fashioned ring to it. You are not a very civilized young man, considering your intellectual attainments.
gpt
I grew up at sea and before the mast. That may account for it.
human
You seem to have crammed a good deal into a short life, observed Dalrymple.
gpt
It must have been a classic ship, where they taught Greek and Latin.
human
The captain used to call her his Ship of Fools. As a matter of fact, it was rather classic, as you say. The old man taught us navigation and Greek verse by turns for five years. He was a university man with a passion for literature, but I never knew a better sailor. He put me ashore when I was seventeen with pretty nearly the whole of my five years' pay in my pocket, and he made me promise that I would go to college and stay as long as my money held out. I got through somehow, but I am not sure that I bless him. He is afloat still, and I write to him now and then.
gpt
An Englishman, I suppose?
human
No. An American.
gpt
What strange people you Americans are! exclaimed Dalrymple, and he drank again.
human
You take up a profession, and you wear it for a bit, like a coat, and then change it for another,
gpt
Very much like you Scotch, answered Griggs.
human
I have heard you say that you were a doctor once.
gpt
A doctor--yes--in a way, for the sake of being a man of science, or believing myself to be one. My family was opposed to it, he continued thoughtfully.
human
My father told me it was his sincere belief that science did not stand in need of any help from me. He said I was more likely to need the help of science, like other lunatics. I will not say that he was not right.
gpt
Poor Dalrymple!
human
It never struck me that you were much to be pitied,
gpt
No, no. Perhaps not. But I will venture to say that the point is debatable, and could be argued. 'To be, or not to be' is a question admirably calculated to draw out the resources of the intellect in argument, if you are inclined for that sort of diversion. It is a very good thing, a very good thing for a man to consider and weigh that question while he is young. Before he goes to sleep, you know, Griggs, before he goes to sleep.
human
continued Griggs.
gpt
I was thinking of the dreams, not of the rest.
human
Fire and sleet and candle-light; And Christ receive thy soul.
gpt
Dreams? Yes. There will be dreams there. Dreams, and other things--'this ae night of all.' Not that my reason admits that they can be more than dreams, you know, Griggs. Reason says 'to sleep--no more.' And fancy says 'perchance to dream.' Well, well, it will be a long dream, that's all.
human
Yes. We shall be dead a long time. Better drink now.