human
I wish that fellow knew anything,
gpt
What is the matter now?
human
Well, I can't help feeling vexed; Bob screeches that hateful little name after me wherever I go. I despise that name, and I wish he could be made to understand it.
gpt
How did you happen to be called Tip at first?
human
Why, said Edward, turning over the leaves of his dictionary,
gpt
And did Johnny, the little boy that died, ever call you so?
human
Often, he said gently;
gpt
Well, Edward, I should not think it would be such a very disagreeable name to you, when your father, who is gone, always used it, and always in kindness, you told me; and it is the only name by which little Johnny can remember you. There are two things to be thought of in this matter, Ray continued, after a moment, finding Edward not disposed to speak:
human
It would be ridiculous to call _him_ Robert! he said, still laughing.
gpt
Ray, here's my exercise, if you want it now.
human
Say, Tip, just go home with me to-night, Bob coaxed one evening, as Edward, having been detained late at the store, was leaving just as Bob was closing the shutters.
gpt
Mr. Ray's head is so bad you won't have any plaguy lessons to-night to hinder you. Every single fellow in the store but me is going to the theatre, and I am awful lonesome up there alone.
human
It is a wonder you are not going too,
gpt
No, it ain't. I can keep a promise once in a while, I reckon. That Ray Minturn can do anything with a fellow, and I was fool enough to promise him that I wouldn't go. Come, go up home with me; do, that's a good fellow!
human
No, said Edward decidedly,
gpt
I can't.
human
Now, Tip Lewis, I think you're real mean; you don't never come to see me no more than if I was in Guinea. You act as if you were ashamed of me, and I keep my word and behave myself, too; and you're a mean, chicken-hearted fellow, if you're ashamed to notice me now-a-days, just because you board in a big house and dress like a dandy.
gpt
Poh! said Edward;
human
Tip, you're the oddest fellow born, I do believe, he said at last
gpt
Is it lessons?
human
No, it's nothing about lessons.
gpt
Couldn't I _help_ you to do it?
human
Yes, said Edward, after a thoughtful silence;
gpt
Well, now, Bob answered earnestly,
human
Do you promise?
gpt
Yes, I do, out and out; and when I promise a thing through and through, why, _you_ know, Tip Lewis, that I do it.
human
Well, said Edward, as he tried the door to see that all was safe before leaving,
gpt
Tip, that's mean.
human
What is?
gpt
To get a fellow to promise what he can't do.
human
I have not. Don't you want to be a Christian?
gpt
No; I can't say that I'm particular about it.
human
But that's too silly to believe. You need a friend to help you about as badly as any one I know of, and when you can have one for the asking, why shouldn't you want Him? Besides, I didn't say _make_ you a Christian, anyhow; I said make you _want_ to be one. You can pray, that _I'm_ sure; any way, you promised, and I trusted you.
gpt
Hail, Columbia,
human
My! you have things in style here, don't you?
gpt
Yes, said Edward;
human
Well, Bob said good-naturedly,
gpt
I'd like to know what I'm to do; this is new business to me, you see.
human
I'm going to kneel down here and pray for you, and you promised to do the same.