human
Who are you?
gpt
It's I--Rinkitink, came the answer, and the depths of the well echoed:
human
Tink-i-tink-i-tink!
gpt
Are you in the well?
human
Yes, and nearly drowned. I fell in while running from those terrible warriors, and I've been standing in this damp hole ever since, with my head just above the water. It's lucky the well was no deeper, for had my head been under water, instead of above it--hoo, hoo, hoo, keek, eek!--under instead of over, you know--why, then I wouldn't be talking to you now! Ha, hoo, hee! And the well dismally echoed:
gpt
Ha, hoo, hee!
human
I'm awfully sorry, cried the boy, in answer.
gpt
I wonder you have the heart to laugh at all. But how am I to get you out?
human
I've been considering that all night, said Rinkitink,
gpt
I will try to do that,
human
I've got it! Now pull me up--slowly, my boy, slowly--so I won't rub against the rough sides.
gpt
That's too bad! called Inga, in real distress;
human
Dear me! gasped the King, from the darkness below, as he spluttered and coughed to get the water out of his mouth.
gpt
Why didn't you tell me you were going to let go?
human
I hadn't time,
gpt
Well, I'm not suffering from thirst, declared the King,
human
What shall we do next?
gpt
Call someone to help you,
human
There is no one on the island but myself, said the boy;
gpt
I'm not on it--more's the pity!--but in it, responded Rinkitink.
human
Are the warriors all gone?
gpt
Yes, said Inga,
human
So--so! said Rinkitink softly; and then he paused a moment, as if in thought. Finally he said:
gpt
There are worse things than slavery, but I never imagined a well could be one of them. Tell me, Inga, could you let down some food to me? I'm nearly starved, and if you could manage to send me down some food I'd be well fed--hoo, hoo, heek, keek, eek!--well fed. Do you see the joke, Inga?
human
Do not ask me to enjoy a joke just now, Your Majesty, begged Inga in a sad voice;