Part 34 (2/2)

”No.”

”A walrus?”

”No.”

”Then you do not believe that these conditions, countries, and animals have an existence?”

”Of course they have.”

”Why?”

”Others have seen them.”

”Ah,” he said; ”then you wish to modify your a.s.sertion--you only believe what others have seen?”

”Excepting one person,” I retorted.

Then he continued, seemingly not having noticed my personal allusion:

”Have you ever seen your heart?”

I hesitated.

”Answer,” he commanded.

”No.”

”Your stomach?”

”No.”

”Have you seen the stomach of any of your friends?”

”No.”

”The back of your head?”

I became irritated, and made no reply.

”Answer,” he again commanded.

”I have seen its reflection in a gla.s.s.”

”I say no,” he replied; ”you have not.”

”You are impudent,” I exclaimed.

”Not at all,” he said, good humoredly; ”how easy it is to make a mistake. I venture to say that you have never seen the reflection of the back of your head in a mirror.”

<script>