human
Well, well, said the owner of the bald head.
gpt
Here's another curiosity come to our island! Wait a minute, and I'll run in and make your acquaintance.
human
I'm Sir Pryse Bocks, he said,
gpt
Pleased to make your acquaintance, returned John, bowing.
human
But do not joke about my person, Sir Pryse. I'm proud of it.
gpt
I respect your pride, sir, said the other.
human
It's bread in the bone, doubtless. Ha, ha!
gpt
This island is full of inventors, said he;
human
What have you invented?
gpt
This! said the other, taking a little tube from his pocket.
human
You will notice that it often rains--it's raining now, if you'll look outside. And the reason it rains is because the drops of water fall to the earth by the attraction of gravitation.
gpt
I suppose so,
human
Now, what do people usually do when it rains?
gpt
They grumble,
human
Yes, and they use umbrellas--_umbrellas_, mind you, to keep themselves dry!
gpt
And that is quite sensible,
human
It's ridiculous! he said, angrily.
gpt
An umbrella is a big, clumsy thing, that the wind jerks out of your hand, or turns inside out; and it's a nuisance to carry it around; and people always borrow it and never bring it back. An umbrella, sir, is a humbug! A relic of the Dark Ages! I've done away with the use of umbrellas entirely, by means of this invention--this little tube, which can be carried in one's pocket!
human
How curious!
gpt
Isn't it? You see, within this tube is stored a Power of Repulsion that overcomes the Attraction of Gravitation, and sends the rain-drops flying upward again. You stick the tube in your hat-band and walk out boldly into the rain. Immediately all the rain-drops shoot up into the air, and before they can fall again you have passed on! It's always dry where the wearer of this tube goes, for it protects him perfectly. And when it stops raining, you put it in your pocket again and it's all ready for another time. Isn't it great, sir? Isn't it wonderful? Isn't the inventor of this tube the greatest man in the world?
human
I'd like to try it, said John,
gpt
True, agreed the other.
human
I'll lend you the tube, with pleasure. Stick it in your hat-band.
gpt
I have no hat,
human
Well, carry the tube in your hand, then, said the inventor.
gpt
It will work just as well that way, but it's not so convenient.