Этюд в багровых тонах
The Science of Deduction.
“Toforgetit!”
“Yousee,”heexplained,“Iconsiderthataman’sbrainoriginallyislikealittleemptyattic,andyouhavetostockitwithsuchfurnitureasyouchoose. Afooltakesinallthelumberofeverysortthathecomesacross,sothattheknowledgewhichmightbeusefultohimgetscrowdedout,oratbestisjumbledupwithalotofotherthingssothathehasadifficultyinlayinghishandsuponit. Nowtheskilfulworkmanisverycarefulindeedastowhathetakesintohisbrain-attic. Hewillhavenothingbutthetoolswhichmayhelphimindoinghiswork,butofthesehehasalargeassortment,andallinthemostperfectorder. Itisamistaketothinkthatthatlittleroomhaselasticwallsandcandistendtoanyextent. Dependuponittherecomesatimewhenforeveryadditionofknowledgeyouforgetsomethingthatyouknewbefore. Itisofthehighestimportance,therefore,nottohaveuselessfactselbowingouttheusefulones.”
“ButtheSolarSystem!”Iprotested.
“Whatthedeuceisittome?”heinterruptedimpatiently; “yousaythatwegoroundthesun. Ifwewentroundthemoonitwouldnotmakeapennyworthofdifferencetomeortomywork.”
Iwasonthepointofaskinghimwhatthatworkmightbe,butsomethinginhismannershowedmethatthequestionwouldbeanunwelcomeone. Iponderedoverourshortconversation,however,andendeavouredtodrawmydeductionsfromit. Hesaidthathewouldacquirenoknowledgewhichdidnotbearuponhisobject.
