Explore "A Telephonic Conversation" by Mark Twain on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Consider that a conversation by telephone -- when you are simply sitting by and not taking any part in that conversation -- is one of the solemnest curiosities of modern life. Yesterday I was writing a deep article on a sublime philosophical subject while such a conversation was going on in the room. I notice that one can always write best when somebody is talking through a telephone close by. Well, the thing began in this way. A member of our household came in and asked me to have our house put into communication with Mr. Bagley's downtown. I have observed, in many cities, that the sex always shrink from calling up the central office themselves. I don't know why, but they do. So I touched the bell, and this talk ensued:
_Central Office. (Gruffly.)_ Hello!