human
Doggie, said she,
gpt
Begging your pardon, Miss Jones, but he's the ungrateful kind. There's no use trying to do anything for that kind. He's deservin' no better than he gets. He snapped at one of our own pups to-night.
human
I suppose so, said Kate.
gpt
I suppose when you spend your life asking for pats and getting kicks you do get suspicious and learn to snap. It seems too bad that little dogs that want to be loved should have to learn to snarl. You see, Watts, he's had a hard life. He's wandered up and down a world where nobody wanted him. He's spent his days trying now this one, now that. 'Maybe they'll take me,' he thinks; his poor little heart warms at the thought that maybe they will. He opens it up anew every day--opens it for a new wound. And now that he's found somebody to say the kind word he's still expecting the surly one. His life's shut him out from life--even though he wants it. It seems to me rather sad, Watts.
human
That kind is deserving what they get. They couldn't have been no other way. And beggin' your pardon, Miss Jones, but it's not us that's responsible for his life.
gpt
Isn't it? said Katie.
human
I wonder.
gpt
As a favor to me, Watts, will you be good to the little dog?
human
As a favor to _you_, Miss Jones,
gpt
Watts, she asked,
human
Re-enlistment must mean that you like it.
gpt
I've no complaint to offer, Miss Jones. Of course there are sometimes a few little things--
human
Why did you enter the army, Watts?
gpt
A man has to make a living some way, Miss Jones.
human
And yet I presume you could make more in some other way. Working in these shops, for instance.
gpt
There's nothin' sure about them,
human
The army's certain. And I like things to move on decent and orderly like. For one that's willing to recognize his betters, the service is a good place, Miss Jones.
gpt
But I suppose there are some not willing to recognize their betters,
human
There's all too many such, said Watts.
gpt
All too many nowadays thinks they're just as good as them that's above them.
human
But you never feel that way, so you are contented and like the service, Watts?
gpt
Yes, Miss. It suits me well enough, Miss Jones. I'm not one to think I can make over the world. There's a fellow workin' up here at the point I sometimes have some conversation with. I was up there to-night at sundown--me and the little boy. Now there's a man, Miss, that don't know his place. He's a trouble-maker. He said to me tonight--
human
Thank you for looking out for the poor little dog, Watts,