human
And so Captain Lewis is going to have his way as usual? And he was going--in spite of all--even without saying good-by to me!
gpt
Yes, I would have preferred that.
human
Captain Lewis is mad. Look at that river! They say that when the boat started last week it took them an hour to make a quarter of a mile, when they struck into the Missouri. How many thousands of hours will it take to ascend to the mountains? How will you get your boats across the mountains? What cascades and rapids lie on ahead? Your men will mutiny and destroy you. You cannot succeed--you will fail!
gpt
I thank you, madam!
human
Oh, you must start now, I presume--in fact, you have started; but I want you to come back before your obstinacy has driven you too far.
gpt
Just what do you mean?
human
Listen. You have given me no time, unkind as you are--not a moment--at an hour like this! In these unsettled times, who knows what may happen? In that very unsettlement lies the probable success of the plan which my father and I have put before you so often. We need you to help us. When are you going to come back to us, Merne?