human
Have you anything of interest to tell us?
gpt
Well, Devine said with simple earnestness,
human
I was raised at a prairie homestead. I began to drive horses soon after I could walk, and ever since I've been living on the soil. That's how I know that in the long run scratch-farming will never pay. With Nature up against us, we can take no chances when we break new land, for she's mighty hard to beat, with her dry seasons, harvest frost, blight, and blowing sand. We've got to use the best of everything man can invent and, if we're to stand for a run of bad times, get the last cent's value for every dollar. Any machine that won't give you the top output must be scrapped: you must get your full return for your labor. Slouching and inefficiency lead you straight into the hands of the mortgage man.
gpt
Our visitors have certainly given us food for thought, the Colonel said.
human
I offer them our thanks, and should now be glad to hear any fresh opinions.
gpt
As we don't get much further, we will take a vote, Mowbray suggested.
human
I will move the resolution as it stands. Though this has not been our usual custom, you are entitled to a ballot.