"No, my mind, such as it is, is made up irrevocably and forever. I must tell you that I can't afford to keep a coupe."
"There is a beautiful sequence in your remarks. Then you ought not to keep one. But why complain. There are always omnibuses within call."
"Are you fond of riding in an omnibus?"
"What an irrelevant question! Suppose I followed your example, and ask what you think of the Copernican system?" "You can't be ill-balanced if you try, and your question is not in the least irrelevant. The Copernican system is true, and illustrates my position exactly. There is a heavenly body, radiant with light and beauty, that attracts me irresistibly. The moment I came within her influence my orbit was fixed."
"Isn't your orbit a little eccentric?" she asked, with averted face. "Still your figure may be very apt. Another body of greater attraction would carry you off into space."
"There is no such body in existence."
"Mr. Morton, we were talking about omnibuses."
"And you have not answered my question."
"Since we are such confidential friends, I will tell you a profound secret. I prefer street cars to omnibuses, and would much rather ride in one than in a carriage that I could not pay for."
"Well, now, that's sensible."