human
Well, in plain English, then, my motor is provided with two sets of steering-gear, and the clutch couplings are so arranged that I can engage one and disengage the other simply by shifting round on the seat, on the pivot of which a cam is keyed——
gpt
For goodness’ sake, Bob, spare me the rest, if that’s plain English. D’you mean that you can drive your ’bus forward or backward as you please?
human
You can put it like that if you like, only, of course, the ’bus is always going forward, because when you shift round on the seat——
gpt
Exactly. Not a word more. Why couldn’t you say that in a sentence instead of meandering through page after page? Why, hang it all, this will make a book before you’ve done with it.
human
It does seem a little long-winded, Templeton admitted, seriously,
gpt
Well, let’s go and see how it works in practice. I’d die happy if I thought one of your old inventions was really going to make your fortune.
human
I’m afraid there isn’t time now. I must hurry off to the shop. But we’ll try it to-night when I get back. It’s a pity old Wilkins insisted on my working out my week’s notice; I’d have liked to devote all my time to it.
gpt
Can’t you forfeit your screw or something?
human
I offered to, but Wilkins wouldn’t hear of it, and as I hate bothers, and my leaving without notice would certainly put him in a hole, I’ll stick it till Saturday. Are you coming with me to the shop?
gpt
I’ll walk with you so far; then I’ll go on to the town and inquire tenderly after Noakes. We’ll meet at the ’Three Tuns’ for lunch. Mrs. Pouncey will be glad of a day off.
human
You’ve gotten she at last, zur,
gpt
Yes; all right now, Mr. West.
human
Ay. I knowed she’d come, gie un time. Gie un time, I said, and she’ll come. Well, marnen to ’ee, zur.
gpt
Who’s your she, Bob?
human
Oh, he means the nozzle. They’re fond of the feminine about here.
gpt
But how on earth does he know anything about the nozzle? It came by post, you said?
human
Yes. I suppose the postman told him. You’re not used to country ways.
gpt
But how did the postman know what was in the parcel? They don’t open things, I suppose?
human
Of course not. I dare say I mentioned to the postman one day what I was expecting, and they gossip about anything and everything here.
gpt
What a place! Look here, my son, you’ll have one of your inventions forestalled one of these days if you don’t keep your mouth shut. Then you’d be sorry.
human
Three Tuns
gpt
Wilkins was unusually amiable to-day, Templeton happened to remark.
human
He seemed quite pleased that the nozzle is a success.
gpt
Were you juggins enough to tell him that?
human
Well, what else could I do when he asked me point-blank? I didn’t mention it first.
gpt
I suppose he heard of it from the postman or from Farmer West, or from any other inhabitant of this gossiping old monkey-house. Wilkins is the last man who ought to know anything about your private affairs. Upon my word, I think I’d better get demobilised and take a job as your keeper. You’re not fit to be trusted alone.