human
I was never a pig, though, he explained to Dorothy, in a confidential moment.
gpt
There was one chump in our class who wanted to know all there was in the book, and made himself sick trying to cram it in. All of a sudden, he graduated. He left college feet first, three on a side, with the class walking slow behind him. I never was like that. I was sort of an epicure when it came to knowledge, tasting delicately here and there, and never greedy. Why, as far back as when I was studying algebra, I nobly refused to learn the binomial theorem. I just read it through once, hastily, like taking one sniff at a violet, and then let it alone. The other fellows fairly gorged themselves with it, but I didn't--I had too much sense.
human
What's this? she asked, curiously.
gpt
Where did you find it?
human
laughed Dick.
gpt
I earned it, my dear lady, in hard and uncongenial toil. It's my week's board.
human
You're not going to pay any board here. You're a guest.
gpt
Not on your life. You don't suppose I'm going to sponge my keep off anybody, do you? I paid Uncle Ebeneezer board right straight along and there's no reason why I shouldn't pay you. You can put that away in your sock, or wherever it is that women keep money, or else I take the next train. If you don't want to lose me, you have to accept four plunks every Monday. I've got lots of four plunks,
human
Very well, said Dorothy, quite certain that she could not spare Dick.
gpt
If it will make you feel any better about staying, I'll take it.