human
I tell you, Bumpus Hawtree, I can do it as easy as turn my hand over, once I get the hang of the thing!
gpt
Oh! you don't say so, Giraffe? Here you've been trying for these three days past, with your silly old bow and stick, twirling away like an organ grinder; and never so much as struck a single spark of fire yet.
human
Well, you see, there are a whole lot of things about the thing I don't know.
gpt
Sure there are. You can do everything but the right thing. You spin that stick with the point that fits in the hole you made in that block of wood, like fun; but your fine tinder don't even smoke, as far as I can see.
human
Huh! you'll see it do more than that, and before the end of this Maine trip, I'll give you to understand, Bumpus.
gpt
Oh! will I? How kind of you, Giraffe.
human
You needn't say that like you didn't believe I'd ever beat it out. I've made fires ten different ways, and you know that. And listen to me--I'm just bound to get one going in that South Sea Island method we've read about, 'or give up trying!' You hear me, Bumpus?
gpt
No trouble about that, Giraffe. Tell you what I'll do, though, in the generosity of my heart--make a wager with you about that fire business; and it's a treat of ice-cream for the crowd, for the loser.
human
I take you on that,