human
Now, what were we talking about before? Ah yes! My inventions. None of your modern up-to-date rubbish, only inventions of the future for me. None of your wireless telephony and wireless telegraphy for me. Listen to this.
gpt
Number A. 1. Sea Power! Have you been successful in that last little financial venture, Sire?
human
No, Cabalistic One, I have lost again. Just my luck! Dash--sh--sh--
gpt
The reply of a friend of mine residing far away at a place called 'The Billows,' explained the Wizard in an offhand way.
human
I help him in his little transactions, which are sometimes rather--in fact very--! and raising his arm he smothered a laugh in his yellow satin sleeve which was not pleasant to hear.
gpt
I always like to laugh up there,
human
Come away, come away, do, quick, and let's go home.
gpt
But you haven't seen any of my marvellous jewellery yet,
human
Don't be timid --he was looking at them through those horrid spectacles again, which laid bare all their thoughts.
gpt
You know I am only answering that knock of yours. Had you not required an answer, there would have been no information forthcoming. I should just like to show you these bracelets I have here. He pushed his glasses across his baldness and took two jewelled golden circlets out of a satchel which hung from the cord of his gown.
human
Other children have taken great interest in them, said the Wizard slowly--
gpt
We know already,
human
I don't mean that tiresome educational game you were playing when you were waiting in because of those few drops of rain. I mean the _real_ thing--to be actually the real animals themselves in the realms of the Birds, Beasts, and Fishes. Only in that way can children realise how much nicer it is to be one of them, and to live a life free from the 'don'ts' and vexatious care of their elders. Ah! _Now_ you're interested!
gpt
THESE BRACELETS WILL EMPOWER THE WEARERS TO BECOME BIRD, BEAST, OR FISH, AT EACH WISH; TO REGAIN HIS SHAPE, OR HER SHAPE, AT WILL, AND TO LIVE IN ANY ATMOSPHERE--OR IN NONE! At every change of form a catseye will disappear and return to me. With the last wish the wonderful adventures will be over, and the shape last chosen will remain to the end of existence. All these silly animals in my dwelling came at the last to seek my help as they were dissatisfied. I did what I could, which wasn't much. Of course I don't want so many of them here, he added carelessly, scratching his nose with his glasses,
human
he added, pulling himself up with evident pretence,
gpt
I helped them right enough! They should have kept a pair of catseyes--I warned them--and they might have crossed my BROOK in some other shape than their own and changed to themselves the other side. But somehow they were not fortunate enough to manage that. Some people are so thoughtless. Pray excuse me, my dears, there's some one at the knocker,
human
Come away, do come away, implored Dulcie, plucking at her brother's sleeve.
gpt
I'm so frightened, she whimpered.
human
Don't touch them. Oh! I want to go home.
gpt
But, sis, you heard what he said. We can't cross his horrid brook twice whilst we are under ten. Crying won't help, replied the boy sturdily. Nevertheless, he looked terribly frightened himself, although he patted her shoulder comfortingly.
human
he muttered;