human
Unfortunately, I have an engagement this evening and can give you very little time. You will not mind if I am brief. Here, then, is the case. A man employed in a minor position on a newspaper is notified that he is to be discharged for incompetence. He replies that, so far from being discharged, he will be promoted at the end of a month, and will eventually be made editor of the paper. Undoubtedly this is a magnificent boast, but to make it good means a complete transformation in the character of this man's work--namely, from entire incompetence to competence of an unusual sort, all within a month's time. You are the man who has made this extraordinary boast. To clear the ground before I begin to show you where your trouble is, please tell me how you propose to make it good.
gpt
I purpose, he corrected her,
human
That is your whole programme?
gpt
It is more than enough, I think.
human
Ah? She paused a moment, looking at him with faint, distant amusement.
gpt
Now, as my aunt's business woman, I, of course, take an interest in the finances of her boarders. Therefore I had better begin at once looking about for a new place for you after May 15th. What other kinds of work do you think yourself qualified to do, besides editorial writing and the preparation of thesauruses?
human
You imagine that the _Post_ will discharge me on May 15th?
gpt
There is nothing in the world that seems to me so certain.
human
And why?
gpt
Why will the Post discharge you? For exactly the same reason it promises to discharge you now. Incompetence.
human
You agree with Colonel Cowles, then? You consider me incompetent to write editorials for the _Post_?
gpt
Oh, totally. And it goes a great deal deeper than style, I assure you. Mr. Queed, you're all wrong from the beginning.
human
and that