human
Well, we have been a pair of dolts, you and I, Tora. Poor old Dick! He must have been wishing us, and the house too, at the bottom of the sea. But what's to be done?
gpt
Why, you must tell him not to be so silly, of course; I don't know what she'll say, but let him take his chance.
human
I'm getting a bit shy of taking a hand in these complications. We didn't make much of a success out of the Ledstone affair, among us! I think I shall let it alone, and leave them to settle it for themselves.
gpt
You never have the courage of your convictions. It's one of your worst faults, Stephen.
human
Trouble again, Winnie?
gpt
I really thought you'd better know about it, or you'd burn Dick's house down.
human
You seem to have a knack of setting fires ablaze too.
gpt
You might just let it appear that you've come to the conclusion that it's not the house which makes Dick so grumpy. Don't say a word about me, of course.
human
He'll think me much cleverer than I have been.
gpt
Well, I should think you'd like that, Stephen. I should, in your place.
human
Oh, well, I deserve that dig.
gpt
It's rather funny how this sort of thing pursues me, isn't it? But it's quite half your fault. If you will collect a menagerie of opinions, and throw me into the middle of it----
human
It's not strange that the animals like the dainty morsel, even though the keepers don't approve of the diet? But I didn't collect all the animals.
gpt
No, said Winnie, smiling reflectively.
human
I did pick up one or two for myself in the course of my journeyings through the world. I'm not quite sure I want any others.
gpt
He's an awfully good fellow, old Dick.
human
Yes. And now I'm going back to Utopia--where animals like only their proper diet.