human
What made you say that, Phil?
gpt
I had no particular reason. Perhaps I thought I was saying something funny.
human
Nothing very funny about that,
gpt
I agree with you.
human
I thought perhaps you might ask me where we were routed for this season.
gpt
And I thought you would tell me when you wished me to know,
human
It was not because I did not wish you to know our route, Phil. I rather thought I should like to give you a surprise.
gpt
Yes, sir.
human
We are going to surprise the show world at the same time, so you see you are not the only one who will be surprised.
gpt
You arouse my curiosity, Mr. Sparling.
human
Still you refuse to ask where we are going, replied the showman, laughing heartily.
gpt
I have made my arrangements with the utmost secrecy because I did not wish any of the opposition shows to get a line on my plans. Not one of them has done so thus far. Tomorrow they will know. Or at least by the day after tomorrow. I am not going to let you in on my little secret today either. Do you think you can possess your soul in patience until then?
human
I think there will be no trouble about that. If I have restrained my curiosity so far I surely can control it until tomorrow. We show at Milledgeville tomorrow, do we not?
gpt
That's what the route card says and I guess the route card is right.
human
Small town, is it not?
gpt
Yes, one of the little river towns. Do you know much about the river?
human
Nothing except what I observed when we played the southern states last season. I should like to take a trip down the river, and hope I may have an opportunity to do so one of these days.
gpt
You'll have the opportunity, all right.
human
Sir?
gpt
I said you would have the opportunity.
human
I hope so.
gpt
Perhaps sooner than you think, too. How is your friend, Tucker, getting along?
human
Pretty well, thank you. I guess he is working better this season than he did last. His acts are much more finished, don't you think so?
gpt
Yes. I noticed that he nearly finished a clown with one of his acts the other night, answered Mr. Sparling dryly, whereat both laughed heartily.
human
Have you had any trouble, with any of the men?
gpt
Do you mean myself, personally?
human
Either or both of you?
gpt
Some slight disagreements. What trouble we have had has been due wholly to our own fault,
human
With whom?
gpt
I would rather not say anything about it, if you will permit me to remain silent.
human
You are a queer boy, Phil.
gpt
So I have been told before,
human
And your friend Teddy is a confounded sight more so. I'm afraid he would have a hard time with most any other show in spite of the fact that he is an excellent performer.
gpt
I have told him as much.
human
Oh, you have?
gpt
Yes, sir.
human
What does he say?
gpt
He doesn't take my advice very seriously, I am afraid. Teddy is all right at heart, however.
human
I agree with you.