“Certainly, but then I warn them at once,” quoth Taste.
“But they have an idea it is good for them, and they disregard your warnings.”
“If they ‘have an idea’ which runs counter to my warnings and my penalties, to say nothing of my promises and my rewards, then they can only get that idea from you, Mr Pseudo-Science, with your theories and your figures and your long words.”
“Why not from your relative, Unnatural Taste? Anyhow, it is my duty to warn them.”
“If they don't heed my warning, they certainly won't heed yours,” says Taste.
“But I can paint such a picture of the trouble they store up for the future if they persist in excessive fruit eating!”
“Never mind about persisting and storing up for the future. I punish excess in fruit eating as in everything else by prompt discomfort and pain.”
“But what do you know about oxalic acid?”
“Enough to avoid it. Like every other poison it is repugnant to me.”
“Yet fruit which is so nice in the mouth may ferment in the intestines and form that very poison. Then what are you going to do about it?”