CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

A KNOTTY QUESTION.

"Tom Blunt," said Richard Sharp, "I deny your premises, condemn your reasoning as illogical, and reject your conclusions with scorn!"

The youth who made this remark with very considerable assurance and emphasis was a student. His fellow-student received it with an air of bland good-nature.

"Dick," said he, "your oratory is rotund, and if it were convincing might be impressive; but it fails to some extent in consequence of a certain smack of self-assertion which is unphilosophical. Suppose, now, that we have this matter out in a calm, dispassionate manner, without 'tooth,' or egotism, or prejudice, which tend so powerfully to mar human disputation and render it abortive."

"With all my heart, Tom," said the other, drawing close to the fire, placing one foot against the mantelpiece, as being a comfortable, though not elegant posture, resting his elbows on the arms of his chair, and placing his hands in that position--with all the finger tips touching each other--which seems, from the universal practice of civilised society, to assist mental elucidation. "I am quite prepared. Come on!"

"Stay; while my mind is working I like to have my hands employed. I will proceed with my monkey while we talk," said Blunt, taking up a walking-stick, the head of which he had carved into the semblance of a monkey. "Sweet creature!" he added, kissing the object of his affection, and holding it out at arm's-length. "Silent companion of my solitary rambles, and patient auditor of my most secret aspirations, you are becoming quite a work of art. A few more touches of the knife, and something like perfection shall have been attained! Look here, Dick, when I turn it towards the light--so--isn't there a beauty about the contour of that upper lip and nose which--"

1. Who is having a conversation?
2. What is Richard's nickname?
3. What is their occupation?
4. Does Dick agree with Tom?
5. Are they indoors?
6. What are they sitting by?
7. Is Dick sitting on a stool?
8. What is he sitting on?
9. What did he put on the chair's arms?
10. What might help him think?
11. What's special about that?
12. Is he sitting in a refined position?
13. What does Tom want to do to help him think?
14. What is he working on?
15. What is he doing to it?
16. Which part?
17. What animal is he making it look like?
18. Does he think he's doing a good job?
19. What does he think about Dicks speech?
20. Is this a friendly debate?

Provide a numbered list of answers.
1. Tom Blunt and Richard Sharp
2. Dick
3. they're students
4. no
5. yes
6. a fire
7. no
8. a chair
9. his elbows
10. the position of his hands
11. all the fingertips are touching
12. no
13. have his hands employed
14. a walking-stick
15. carving it
16. the head
17. a monkey
18. yes
19. it's unconvincing
20. yes