The varied character of the contributions is just what we would expect
on such an occasion, for it was a gathering not of expert mathematicians
and logicians, but of quite ordinary folk.

"It is a wonderful age!" repeated Mr. Allgood. "A man has just designed
a square house in such a cunning manner that all the windows on the four
sides have a south aspect."

"That would appeal to me," said Mrs. Allgood, "for I cannot endure a
room with a north aspect."

"I cannot conceive how it is done," Uncle John confessed. "I suppose he
puts bay windows on the east and west sides; but how on earth can be
contrive to look south from the north side? Does he use mirrors, or
something of that kind?"

"No," replied Mr. Allgood, "nothing of the sort. All the windows are
flush with the walls, and yet you get a southerly prospect from every
one of them. You see, there is no real difficulty in designing the house
if you select the proper spot for its erection. Now, this house is
designed for a gentleman who proposes to build it exactly at the North
Pole. If you think a moment you will realize that when you stand at the
North Pole it is impossible, no matter which way you may turn, to look
elsewhere than due south! There are no such directions as north, east,
or west when you are exactly at the North Pole. Everything is due
south!"

"I am afraid, mother," said her son George, after the laughter had
subsided, "that, however much you might like the aspect, the situation
would be a little too bracing for you."