human
I don't believe he'll come home to-night, said Peterkin, after we had lain down.
gpt
People never do come in when any one chances to be waiting for them. The human race seems to be born to disappointment. Did you never notice, Ralph, how obstinately contrary and cross-grained things go when you want them to go otherwise?
human
I don't quite understand you,
gpt
Of course you don't. Yours seems to be a mind that can never take anything in unless it is hammered in by repetition.
human
Come now, Peterkin, don't become, yourself, an illustration of your own remark in reference to cross-grained things.
gpt
Well, I won't. But seriously, Ralph, have you not observed, in the course of your observant life, that when you have particular business with a man, and go to his house or office, you are _certain_ to find him out, to use the common phrase? It would be more correct, however, to say `you are certain not to find him in.'
human
You are uncommonly particular, Peterkin.
gpt
Truly I had need to be so, with such an uncommonly stupid audience.
human
Thank you. Well?
gpt
Well, have you never observed that if you have occasion to call at a house where you have never been before, the number of that particular house is not in its usual place, and you find it after a search quite away from where it ought to be? Has it never struck you that when you take out your umbrella, the day is certain to become hot and sunny; while, if you omit to carry it with you, it is sure to rain?
human
From all of which you conclude, said I,
gpt
Exactly so; that is my meaning precisely.