human
Father, I wish you would buy me a watch. Frank King, and Bill Andrews, and Charlie Grant, and almost all the large boys that I know, have got watches, and I should think I might have one too; why can't I, father?
gpt
What do they do with watches?
human
Why, what does anybody do with them? They carry them to tell the time of day, of course,
gpt
And to make a display of watch-chain,
human
No, that isn't it, replied Oscar;
gpt
When I was of your age, said Mr. Preston,
human
Over to Alf. Walton's.
gpt
And couldn't find a time-piece about the premises?
human
Why--no--I--forgot--
gpt
Just as I supposed, added his father;
human
O no, father, said Oscar;
gpt
Well, added Mr. Preston,
human
No, remarked Mrs. Preston,
gpt
If you would think a little less of outside appearances, Oscar, continued his father,
human
Well, what is it?
gpt
I will agree to give you a nice watch, in six months from this time, if you will do three things,
human
What are they? inquired Oscar;
gpt
Certainly, said Mr. Preston;
human
Yes, sir,
gpt
The second is, continued Mr. Preston,
human
Yes, sir, I guess so,
gpt
And the last condition is, that you give sufficient attention to your studies to gain admission to the High School, at the end of the term. Is that in your power?
human
I suppose it is,
gpt
You admit, then, that you _can_ keep these conditions, continued his father;
human
Why, I don't suppose I should make out, if I tried.
gpt
No, you certainly would not, if that is your spirit, replied his father.
human
You cannot accomplish anything unless you have some confidence that you can do it, and firmly resolve to try. You just admitted that you could keep these conditions, but it seems you are not willing to make the attempt. You want a watch, but you don't intend to obey your parents, or to conduct yourself properly, or to attend to your lessons, for the sake of getting it--that's what you mean to say, is it not?
gpt
I am sorry, continued his father,
human
If I get into the High School next summer, may I have the watch?
gpt
No, replied his father,