human
You're punctual, my boy; and punctuality's a cardinal virtue about dinner-time, said my grandfather, looking at his watch;
gpt
What's become of Mrs Grigson? asked Owen.
human
You haven't parted with that disciple of Apicius, I should hope?
gpt
She's confined again, said my grandfather, sighing;
human
A wonderful woman, said Owen;
gpt
Why, I'll tell you, responded the Major.
human
Joe Trigg, my old servant, is confined too--in the guardroom, I mean, for getting drunk--and I've taken a man of the regiment, one Private Bags, for a day or two, who recommended his wife as an excellent cook. She says the same of herself; but this is her first trial, and I'm a little nervous about it.
gpt
Shocking rascal that Bags,
human
Indeed! said my grandfather;
gpt
I'm sorry to hear that. I didn't inquire about his character. He offered his services, saying he came from the same part of England as myself, though I don't recollect him.
human
Terrible work this blockade, said the Major after a pause.
gpt
Do you know, if I was a general in command of a besieging army, I don't think I could find it in my heart to starve out the garrison. Consider now, my dear boy (laying his forefinger on Owen's arm)--
human
Roast pig with stuffing answers the general description, said Owen.
gpt
That, you'll admit, is a morsel fit for a king.
human
Pooh! said my grandfather.
gpt
But you must really try now. I've run through the mythology, all that I know of it, and tried all the old novelists' names, even Boccaccio and Cervantes. Never were such combinations as I have made--but can't compound anything edible out of them. Again, as to what we do in the morning: we all shave (that is, all who have beards)--and we yawn, too; at least I do, on waking; but it must be a word of six letters. Then, who can the heathen deity be?
human
Pan is the only heathen deity that has anything to do with cookery, said Owen.
gpt
Frying-pan, you know, and stew-pan.