'I wonder,' he went on, after a brief silence, 'how it is there are no fleas here? Where should there be fleas if not here, one wonders?'
'You seem to regret them,' I remarked.
'No, I don't regret them; but I like everything to be consecutive.'
'O-ho!' thought I; 'what words he uses.'
My neighbour was silent again.
'Would you like to make a bet with me?' he said again, rather loudly.
'What about?'
I began to be amused by him.
'Hm... what about? Why, about this: I'm certain you take me for a fool.'
'Really,' I muttered, astounded.