human
And you don't mind that?
gpt
No; I like to know what everybody else knows. I can study what I like by-and-by.
human
I can't think why anybody should learn Latin, said Tom.
gpt
It's no good.
human
It's part of the education of a gentleman, said Philip.
gpt
All gentlemen learn the same things.
human
What! do you think Sir John Crake, the master of the harriers, knows Latin?
gpt
He learnt it when he was a boy, of course, said Philip.
human
But I dare say he's forgotten it.
gpt
Oh, well, I can do that, then,
human
Oh, I don't mind Latin, said Philip, unable to choke a laugh;
gpt
I can remember things easily. And there are some lessons I'm very fond of. I'm very fond of Greek history, and everything about the Greeks. I should like to have been a Greek and fought the Persians, and then have come home and written tragedies, or else have been listened to by everybody for my wisdom, like Socrates, and have died a grand death.
human
Why, were the Greeks great fighters? said Tom, who saw a vista in this direction.
gpt
Is there anything like David, and Goliath, and Samson in the Greek history? Those are the only bits I like in the history of the Jews.
human
Oh, there are very fine stories of that sort about the Greeks--about the heroes of early times who killed the wild beasts, as Samson did. And in the _Odyssey_ (that's a beautiful poem) there's a more wonderful giant than Goliath--Polypheme, who had only one eye in the middle of his forehead; and Ulysses, a little fellow, but very wise and cunning, got a red-hot pine tree and stuck it into this one eye, and made him roar like a thousand bulls.
gpt
Oh, what fun! said Tom, jumping away from the table, and stamping first with one leg and then the other.
human
I say, can you tell me all about those stories? because I shan't learn Greek, you know. Shall I? he added, pausing in his stamping with a sudden alarm, lest the contrary might be possible.
gpt
Does every gentleman learn Greek? Will Mr. Stelling make me begin with it, do you think?
human
No, I should think not--very likely not, said Philip.
gpt
But you may read those stories without knowing Greek. I've got them in English.
human
Oh, but I don't like reading; I'd sooner have you tell them me--but only the fighting ones, you know. My sister Maggie is always wanting to tell me stories, but they're stupid things. Girls' stories always are. Can you tell a good many fighting stories?
gpt
Oh yes, said Philip--
human
You're older than I am, aren't you?
gpt
Why, how old are you? I'm fifteen.
human
I'm only going in fourteen, said Tom.
gpt
But I thrashed all the fellows at Jacobs'--that's where I was before I came here. And I beat 'em all at bandy and climbing. And I wish Mr. Stelling would let us go fishing. I could show you how to fish. You could fish, couldn't you? It's only standing, and sitting still, you know.
human
I can't bear fishing. I think people look like fools sitting watching a line hour after hour, or else throwing and throwing, and catching nothing.
gpt
Ah, but you wouldn't say they looked like fools when they landed a big pike, I can tell you,