human
It's simply the realization of defeat,
gpt
I don't believe it, Gran'pa. You're the last man on earth to realize such a thing--still less to admit it.
human
Why not be frank?
gpt
Well--it's like this, George. . . . I'm worried over Sally. She is going back. . . .
human
I exclaimed.
gpt
Returning to England?
human
No! No! I mean . . . receding. All the good she's got out of the life over here is rapidly being undone. After all, she's an old woman, George--and I have the feeling that--we must be quick. At her age, strange things happen. Something slips--and suddenly the wheels slow down. You must have noticed the difference in her during the last two or three weeks.
gpt
I'm not alarmed! said Gran'pa.
human
I'm merely taking precautions. It may be selfish of me to consider her before the rest of these old people--but it is natural, George!
gpt
Quite so! Then why not take her to Windhuk and let us follow later with as many gorillas as we can get by then?
human
It is not practicable.
gpt
You and Sally could 'plane it, accompanied by the necessary lady gorilla.
human
No! It is too late in the day to start doing things by instalments, like that. We must all go together. If you've any respect for my feelings, George, give in like a good fellow.
gpt
Very well! I sighed.
human
It's your expedition--not mine. And perhaps you're right. . . .
gpt
You might admit it less grudgingly. . . . I don't want to seem a killjoy. . . .
human
Killjoy! I exclaimed.
gpt
You don't think that I'm fooling with these gorillas for the joy of the thing. The novelty wore off months ago. It's simply a matter of patience, followed by hard work if you're lucky, and a fit of depression if you aren't. What glamour is there in sitting in a cage, muffled up in a monkey skin, with your hand on the gas tap--waiting for some fool gorilla to stray by? It's as bad as being a spider. If only we could go in for a little genuine hunting . . . a few hippo, or elephants. . . . But no! We should scare away these precious apes. Pampered brutes!
human
You're very bitter, George!
gpt
Naturally I am when you suggest that I want to finish this job because I like it.
human
Come now! Even you have your moments of gayety. There's always some new thrill in the jungle. That snake, for instance. . . . One isn't always sitting and waiting. . . . Still, the point is that you agree with me in the main. Capturing gorillas is a long and tedious business. We shall never get enough. Therefore, let us take what we have before any more of them die.