human
Then why did n't you say only 'proud'? asked her companion, sharply.
gpt
You said 'proud,' and then added 'stuck up.'
human
Of course it is a long way off, replied her companion.
gpt
Don't you wish it to be a long way off?
human
Well, I don't think I ever wished much about it. Can you tell me how many miles it is from some place I know about? You see, Mr. Bombus, I am pretty sure it is n't in the geography. At least, I don't remember that I ever saw it on the map. Could n't you tell me where it is?
gpt
Do you know where Now is?
human
I suppose it is Here, sir.
gpt
Right! assented the old gentleman, promptly.
human
Now, if you had said There, it would have been wrong; for Then is There. You see, this is the way: When we have lived in Now until it is all used up, it changes into Then, and, instead of being Here, is There. I hope it's plain to you. Well, you asked me where By-and-by was. That 's the very thing about it: it never was, not even _is_; it's always _going to be_, and it's generally a rather long way from Now; so, if you know where Now is, you can make your own calculations as to the distance of By-and-by.
gpt
But I don't know anything about calculating distances,
human
It does n't matter, remarked Mr. Bombus;
gpt
Why, I should hope so! returned Betty.
human
It seems to me I never flew so fast in all my life before and for such a long time. If we were n't getting on, I think I should be discouraged. We seem to be almost running a race, we go so quickly.
gpt
We are running a race,
human
Why, _I_ did n't know it. When did we begin?
gpt
When we started, Child. Pray, don't be stupid!
human
But with whom are we running it?
gpt
With Time, whispered Mr. Bombus, confidentially.
human
One always has to beat him before one can get to By-and-by. And then it depends on one's self whether one likes it or not after one gets there.
gpt
That last rush quite took away my breath!