human
Quantities correct, Benjamin. Construe.
gpt
Eh, Benjamin, doing uncommon well today. High time of course--I am not prepared to consider this the millennium. Mr. Hibbs could seldom bear to leave a compliment undiluted.
human
Well, gentlemen, I suggest to you, these particular lines are something more than an exercise in grammar and prosody. I think, no more of the _Tristia_ today. Your grammars if you please--this afternoon it shall be Cicero of course.
gpt
Sir --startled, Reuben saw his brother rising, not quite knocking over his little desk--
human
Yes, my boy?
gpt
Last night, sir, I wrote out a translation of the lines in _De Finibus_ that you assigned us for this afternoon. I--wished to know if I could do so without aid. I mean, sir--Ru hath helped me often at other times, being swifter at these things, so I--so I didn't tell him of it. And if it be satisfactory, Mr. Hibbs, may I go to Boston this afternoon?
human
Done without aid, ha?
gpt
It was, sir. I even waited till Ru was asleep, for fear I'd give up and ask him for help after all.