human
Spells and incantations I call them, said Stephen,
gpt
And why do you call them that?
human
Because they depend for their effect on a particular form of words--either a particularly familiar or a particularly beautiful formula. If you expressed the same idea in different language, its power would be gone; at least it would seem just as legitimately open to question as any profane statement that I may happen to make. Now to depend for its efficacy on the exact formula and not on the force of the idea is, to my mind, the precise characteristic of a spell, charm, or incantation, Dick.
gpt
I dare say the holy words make you uncomfortable, my boy!
human
Exactly! And is it fair? Why am I, a candid inquirer, to be made uncomfortable? Prove me wrong, convince me if you can, but why make me uncomfortable?
gpt
I think that's what you tried to do to me, coming back from church--when you talked about 'God's good time,' I mean.
human
I don't do it on purpose. They just come to my lips. And who knows?--It might be good for you!