human
I don't mean coax, perhaps. But--
gpt
Listen. If the Kid has got that notion, I'm more sorry than you can guess. Of course, I think pictures and I talk pictures; I admit I make them in my sleep. And the boys are interested. Those that are going back with me and those that are not are always sicking me at the subject. I admit that I sick easy, he added with a whimsical lightening of the eyes.
human
And the Kid and I are pals. I like him, Mrs. Bennett. He's got the stuff in him to make a real man--and I wouldn't call him spoiled, exactly. He's always been with grown-ups, and his mind has developed away ahead of the calendar; you see what I mean? He's nine, he tells me--
gpt
Only eight. He always tries to make himself older than he is,
human
Well, he's some boy! And kids somehow take to me; I guess it's because I'm always chumming with them. He's been taking in everything that has been said; I could see that. But I surely never talked to him in the way you mean.
gpt
You mustn't take it personally at all, she said,
human
It seems to be worse, in your estimation, than exposing the Kid to yellow fever,
gpt
Well, of course you can understand that I should not want a boy of mine to--to be all taken up with the idea of acting cowboy parts for a moving picture.
human
Still, there are some fairly decent people in the business, Luck pointed out still more quietly, and got upon his feet. He had no smile now for the Little Doctor, though he was still gentle in his manner.
gpt
I see what you mean, Mrs. Bennett. I understand you perfectly. I shall do what I can to repair the damage to the Kid's character and ideals, and I want to thank you for coming to me in this matter. Otherwise I might have gone against your wishes without knowing that I was doing so. For two breaths or three he held her glance with something that looked out of his eyes; the Little Doctor did not know what it was.
human
You see, Mrs. Bennett, you don't quite understand what you are talking about, he added.
gpt
You have not had the opportunity to understand, of course. But I agree with you that the Kid's place is at home, and I shall certainly have a talk with him.
human
Don't worry one minute, he said, dropping his punctilious politeness of the minute before, and becoming again the intensely human Luck Lindsay.
gpt
I 'heap sabe.' I've certainly corrupted the morals and ambitions of some of the boys--looking at it the way you do--but I promise to check the devastation right where it's at, and save your only son.