YOUNG SOCRATES: Very true; but what is the imperfection which still remains? I wish that you would tell me.
STRANGER: The higher ideas, my dear friend, can hardly be set forth except through the medium of examples; every man seems to know all things in a dreamy sort of way, and then again to wake up and to know nothing.
YOUNG SOCRATES: What do you mean?
STRANGER: I fear that I have been unfortunate in raising a question about our experience of knowledge.
YOUNG SOCRATES: Why so?
STRANGER: Why, because my 'example' requires the assistance of another example.
YOUNG SOCRATES: Proceed; you need not fear that I shall tire.
STRANGER: I will proceed, finding, as I do, such a ready listener in you: when children are beginning to know their letters—
YOUNG SOCRATES: What are you going to say?
STRANGER: That they distinguish the several letters well enough in very short and easy syllables, and are able to tell them correctly.