human
Two--third class--for Ealing,
gpt
On the public service?
human
Yes,
gpt
Then you don't need tickets, said the agent.
human
Got my orders this morning. No one in uniform has to pay. Go right through, and ride first-class, if you like. You'll find plenty of officers riding that way.
gpt
That's fine! said Dick.
human
It makes it seem as if we were really of some use, doesn't it, Harry?
gpt
Yes, answered Harry.
human
But, Dick, I've been thinking of what you said to Graves. What did you mean when you told him you knew more about me than you did about him? Hasn't he lived here a long time?
gpt
No, and there's a little mystery about him. Don't you know it?
human
Never heard of such a thing, Dick. You see, I haven't been here so very long and he was in the patrol when I joined.
gpt
Oh, yes, so he was! Well, I'll tell you, then. You know he's studying to be an engineer, at the Polytechnic. And he lives at a boarding house, all by himself. Not a regular boarding house, exactly. He boards with Mrs. Johnson, you know. Her husband died a year or two ago, and didn't leave her very much money. He hasn't any father or mother, but he always seems to have plenty of money. And he can play all sorts of games, but he won't do them up right. He says he doesn't care anything about cricket!
human
How old is he?
gpt
Sixteen, but he's awfully big and strong.
human
He certainly is. He looks older than that, to me. Have you ever noticed anything funny about the way he talks?
gpt
No. Why? Have you?
human
I'm not sure. But sometimes it seems to me he talks more like the people do in a book than you and I do. I wonder why he doesn't like me?
gpt
Oh, he likes you as well as he does anyone, Harry. He didn't mean anything, I fancy, when he said that about your being chosen just now. He was squiffed because Mr. Wharton didn't take him, that's all. He thinks he ought to be ahead of everyone.
human
Well, I didn't ask to be chosen. I'm glad I was, of course, but I didn't expect to be. I think perhaps Leslie Franklin asked Mr. Wharton to take me.
gpt
Of course he did! Why shouldn't he?