human
Have you been long on the river?
gpt
Born on it, sir.
human
How do you like the profession of a waterman?
gpt
Very well, sir; the great point is to have regular customers.
human
And how do you gain them?
gpt
By holding my tongue; keeping their counsel and my own.
human
Very good answer, my boy. People who have much to do cannot afford to loose even their time on the water. Just now I was preparing and thinking over my speech in the House of Commons.
gpt
So I supposed, sir, and I think the river is a very good place for it, as no one can overhear you except the person whose services you have hired--and you need not mind him.
human
Very true, my lad; but that's why I liked deaf Stapleton: he could not hear a word.
gpt
But sir, if you've no objection, I like to hear it very much; and you may be sure that I should never say anything about it, if you will trust me.
human
Do you my lad? well, then I'll just try it over again. You shall be the speaker--mind you hold your tongue, and don't interrupt me.
gpt
Mr Speaker, I should not have ventured to address the House at this late hour, did I not consider that the importance of the question now before it is--so important--no, that won't do--did I not consider that the question now before it is of that, I may say, paramount importance as to call forth the best energies of every man who is a well-wisher to his country. With this conviction, Mr Speaker, humble individual as I am, I feel it my duty, I may say, my bounden duty, to deliver my sentiments upon the subject. The papers which I now hold in my hand, Mr Speaker, and to which I shall soon have to call the attention of the House, will, I trust, fully establish--
human
I say, waterman, be you taking that chap to Bedlam?