human
By the bye, how did you come to know this--Mr. Miles? He had almost said
gpt
Has papa never told you?
human
No, never.
gpt
Nor Mr. Miles himself? Ah, no: he would be the last person to speak of it. But I will tell you. Well, then, it was when we were down in Sussex. Papa was bathing (though I had forbidden it), when he was seized with cramp, out of his depth. He must certainly have been drowned; but a great handsome fellow, dressed like a fisherman, saw his distress, rushed into the sea, swam out, and rescued him with the help of a boat. Poor papa, when he came to himself, at once offered the man money; and here came the surprise. The man laughed, refused the money, dived his hand into his own pocket, and threw a sovereign to the boatman who had helped!
human
That was unnecessary. Why couldn't the fellow keep to the part he was playing?
gpt
Then papa found out that he was a gentleman in disguise--a Mr. Miles, from Sydney! He had been over some months, and was seeing England in thorough fashion. Indeed, he seemed a regular boatman, with his hands all hard and seamed with tar.
human
And your father made friends with him?
gpt
Naturally; he brought him up to the hotel, where I heard all about the affair. You may imagine the state I was in! After that we saw a good deal of him down there, and papa got to like him very much, and asked him to come and stay with us when he grew tired of that kind of life and returned to London. And that's all.
human
How long did you say it is since he saved your father's life?
gpt
Let me see, it's--yes, not quite a month ago.
human
And he has no other friends in England?
gpt
Not that I know of.
human
And writes no letters nor receives any?
gpt
Not that I know of. But how should I know? or what does it matter?
human
In fact, he is a friendless adventurer, whom you don't know a thing about beyond what you have told me?
gpt
What do you mean? I don't understand you. Why all these questions?
human
Because, said he, impressively and slowly,
gpt
Noble rival!