human
Yes, Ben?
gpt
I saw Mr. Dyckman yesterday evening. I ought to have spoke sooner, but didn't wish to distress little Charity further. They simply waited; even Captain Jenks was looking at him now, his attention caught perhaps by Charity's name.
human
I met Mr. Shawn by chance, and he seemed to wish my company, so we went to dine at--I think the Lion is the name of it, a tavern on Ship Street.
gpt
Well, young man, said Mr. Derry,
human
I know the place, the which----
gpt
Shawn? Who a devil's name is Shawn?
human
I know him, Peter. Let the boy tell it. Why--you met Mr. Shawn yourself, I remember, the afternoon you came ashore. He was with us at the wharf.
gpt
Oh, that--yah.
human
Go on, Ben.
gpt
Well, sir, only that Mr. Dyckman came to that tavern while we were there, and was drinking rum with the new bosun Tom Ball, and--had evidently been drinking already for some time. He was very foxed.
human
Jan Dyckman? Are you certain, Ben?
gpt
Of course, sir. Mr. Shawn noticed it too. I had the thought he might wish me to introduce him to Mr. Dyckman, but Mr. Shawn said nay, let it be another time, for Mr. Dyckman was not himself. In fact, Uncle John, he looked directly at me without recognition, though he knows me well enough. Knew me, I suppose I must say.
human
Jan seldom drank, and when he did could always hold his liquor like a man. Shit, I don't believe it.
gpt
Peter, my boy Benjamin is not an inventor of tales.
human
Tell him, said Jenks--Ben might have been in Roxbury--
gpt
Mr. Jenks --that was Reuben, an ugly softness such as Ben had never before heard in his light adolescent baritone--
human
D'you tell me the same, John?
gpt
I do.
human
Then I am sorry, and will retract what I said, and hope no offense was taken.
gpt
None, sir,