human
Well, said the young man, wiping his forehead,
gpt
I might have done all that by myself. Just the same, I'm much obliged. He drew a purse from his pocket.
human
How much do I owe you?
gpt
Nothing at all, he said.
human
We are Boy Scouts, and we are not allowed to take pay for doing good turns.
gpt
But if you are going to Belden--
human
I'm not,
gpt
If you are, Specs persisted,
human
Well, I'm not, said the young man again,
gpt
He said it very decisively.
human
I'm much obliged for your help, but I can't pay for it--that way.
gpt
I hope he gets stuck again, snorted Specs, looking at the swirl of dust that marked the young man's going.
human
I hope he breaks a steering knuckle and six spokes, and has nineteen punctures.
gpt
No, you don't, either, Bunny put in.
human
You're wrong and he's right. Do you realize, Specs, that this is the first time in all our trip we have given a wrong impression of the Boy Scouts? That man thinks we did him a good turn in the hope of a reward; he'll think we always want some kind of pay when we help somebody out. Well, we don't; and what's more, we're going to stop making people think we do.
gpt
All right, Bunny; I'm cured.