system
Context: CHAPTER XVII 

THE MAN AT THE ASTOR 

Refraining from discussing with Master Maloney the alleged bone-headedness of girls, Smith went through into the inner room, and found John sitting in the editorial chair, glancing through the latest number of _Peaceful Moments_. 

"Why, John, friend of my youth," he said, "where have you been hiding all this time? I called you up at your office weeks ago, and an acid voice informed me that you were no longer there. Have you been fired?" 

"Yes," said John. "Why aren't you on the _News_ any more? Nobody seemed to know where you were, till I met Faraday this morning, who told me you were here." 

Smith was conscious of an impression that in some subtle way John had changed since their last meeting. For a moment he could not have said what had given him this impression. Then it flashed upon him. Before, John had always been, like Mrs. Fezziwig in "The Christmas Carol," one vast substantial smile. He had beamed cheerfully on what to him was evidently the best of all possible worlds. Now, however, it would seem that doubts had occurred to him as to the universal perfection of things. His face was graver. His eyes and his mouth alike gave evidence of disturbing happenings. 

In the matter of confidences, Smith was not a believer in spade-work. If they were offered to him, he was invariably sympathetic, but he never dug for them. That John had something on his mind was obvious, but he intended to allow him, if he wished to reveal it, to select his own time for the revelation. 
human
Did John used to be something of an optimist?
gpt
Yes
human
Who had he been like?
gpt
Mrs. Fezziwig in "The Christmas Carol"
human
Is that a novel?
gpt
unknown
human
Did John smile a lot?
gpt
Yes
human
Does he still believe in the universal perfection of things?
gpt
No
human
What had now occurred to him?
gpt
Doubts
human
And his face is now what?
gpt
Graver
human
What tidings does he likely bring news of?
gpt
Disturbing happenings.
human
Is Smith someone who likes to try to gossip?
gpt
No
human
Was Smith going to press John to reveal anything before he was ready?
gpt
No
human
Who had John met that morning?
gpt
Faraday
human
Where had he missed seeing Smith?
gpt
At the News
human
Did anyone before Faraday seem to know where Smith had been?
gpt
No
human
Had John been fired from his job?
gpt
Have yoYesu been fired?" "Yes,"
human
How long has he and Smith known each other?
gpt
Since Smith's youth
human
Did John do an outside job, like construction?
gpt
No
human
What did he work in, then?
gpt
As an editor
human
Was the person who informed Smith of John's firing very friendly?
gpt
No
human
What was John reading when Smith found him?
gpt
Peaceful Moments
human
Who was allegedly bone-headed?
gpt
Girls