Prof.—Well! (w = 8.)
Mlle.—Eight.
Prof.—Now, if you please. (n = 2.)
Mlle.—Two.
Prof.—This? (t = 1.)
Mlle.—One.
Prof.—Please. (p = 9.)
Mlle.—Nine.
Prof.—That is all right. (This is invariably understood to mean that the experiment is completed.)
Should any smart person write a number like 99999, and smile expectantly, awaiting the Professor’s confusion, he will be doomed to disappointment, for Prof. B merely says to him “Very good”: and turning to Mlle. C, says “Please,” and she answers immediately, “There are five nines.” Of course the Professor’s “very good” has told her that there are five figures, and the “please” has told her that they begin with nine. Finding that the Professor does not say anything more, she presumes they are all the same, and replies accordingly.