human
Did you ask them to let me out?
gpt
You're better off where you are,
human
But they have locked me up here.
gpt
And reason enough, too!
human
What makes you say that?
gpt
Because you're crazy as a loon.
human
Did the black man say that?
gpt
Yes, he did--said you tried to kill your mother, and had a carving-knife hidden in the room.
human
It's a lie--an outrageous lie!
gpt
Don't go into one of your tantrums, said the man, rather alarmed;
human
But I want you to understand that I am no more crazy than you are.
gpt
Sho? I know better. Where's your carving-knife?
human
I haven't got any; I never had any. That negro has been telling you lies. Just go to the door again, and insist on seeing me.
gpt
I wouldn't dast to. You'd stab me,
human
Listen to me! said Dodger, getting out of patience.
gpt
I'm not crazy. I'm a newsboy and baggage-smasher. An old man got me to bring his valise here, and then locked me up. Won't you go around to the station-house and send a policeman here?
human
I'll see about it,
gpt
He won't do it! said Dodger to himself, in a tone of discouragement.
human
That miserable nigger has made him believe I am a lunatic. I'll have him up, anyway.
gpt
What do you want, boy?
human
I want you to unbolt the door and let me out.
gpt
I couldn't do it, nohow, said Julius.
human
It would be as much as my place is worth.
gpt
I will give you a dollar--five dollars--if you will only let me out. The man who brought me here is a bad man, who is trying to cheat his cousin--a young lady--out of a fortune.
human
Don't know nothin' 'bout that,
gpt
He has no right to keep me here.
human
Don't know nothin' 'bout that, either. I'm actin' accordin' to orders.
gpt
Look here, said Dodger, bethinking himself of what had just happened.
human
Did you tell that young man who called here just now that I was crazy?
gpt
I expect I did, he laughed.
human
Said you'd got a long carvin'-knife hid in de room.
gpt
What made you lie so?
human
Couldn't get rid of him no other way. Oh, how scared he looked when I told him you tried to kill your mother.
gpt
How long is Mr. Waring going to keep me here? Did he tell you?
human
No; he didn't say.
gpt
When is he coming here again?
human
Said he'd come to-morrow most likely.
gpt
Will you bring me a light?
human
Couldn't do it. You'd set the house on fire.