"Why not?"
"It is degrading to the machines, — and so, I should think, it
would not be very elevating to those who make them machines."
"That is exactly the use they propose them to serve, though,"
he said, looking amused; "the elevation of themselves."
"I know" — I said, thinking that the end was ignoble too.
"You do not approve it?" he said.
I felt those brilliant eyes dancing all over me, and, I
fancied, over my thoughts too. I felt a little shy of going on
to explain myself to one whom I knew so little. He turned the
conversation, by asking me if I had seen all the lions yet?
I said, I supposed not.
"Have you been up to the old fort?"
"I want to go there," I said; "but somebody told me to-day,
there was nothing worth going for."
"Has his report taken away your desire to make the trial?"
"No, for I do not believe he is right."
"Might I offer myself as a guide? I can be disengaged this
afternoon; and I know all the ways to the fort. It would give
me great pleasure."
I felt it would give me great pleasure too, and so I told him.
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