human
Aren't they nice? asked the kinglet, looking after them.
gpt
I'd like to drown them all in the castle moat, like kittens; but every kinglet, they say, has his Failings, so I suppose I must keep mine.
human
But what did the Poet's sonnet say about your being crisp and well spiced, and rather good eating were you sliced?
gpt
Don't pay any attention to that, your Majesty!
human
But why not? persisted the kinglet.
gpt
I declare, Sir John, there's something about you that makes me hungry whenever I look at you. I don't remember having eaten any gingerbread since I was a boy--ahem!--I mean since I came to rule over the Isle of Phreex. Ho there, my guards! Fetch me a knife!
human
Your Majesty forgets that you are to have pancakes and maple-syrup for tea. What's the use of spoiling your appetite, when you know the gingerbread man will keep good for weeks?
gpt
Are you sure? asked the kinglet, anxiously.
human
Are you sure he'll keep? Won't he get stale?
gpt
Of course not, answered the child.
human
He's the kind of gingerbread that always keeps good. And you mustn't forget he'll be a credit to the Isle of Phreex; for whoever saw a live gingerbread man before?
gpt
Nobody, declared the kinglet, positively.
human
You're right, my Cherub; I'll save the gingerbread man for another meal, and in the meantime I can show him off before my people. We pride ourselves, Sir John, on having a greater variety of queer personages than any other kingdom in existence.
gpt
Then you ought to be careful of them, and not permit them to be eaten,
human
Pancakes and maple-syrup! muttered his Majesty, longingly.
gpt
Dear me, Chick; I wish tea were ready now.
human
So do I,