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Newguest Posted 14 years ago
Vocabulary

Fable

Hi
 
THE BAT AND THE WEASELS
 
 
A Bat fell to the ground and was caught by a Weasel, and was just
going to be killed and eaten when it begged to be let go. The Weasel
said he couldn't do that because he was an enemy of all birds on
principle. "Oh, but," said the Bat, "I'm not a bird at all: I'm a
mouse." "So you are," said the Weasel, "now I come to look at you";
and he let it go. Some time after this the Bat was caught in just the
same way by another Weasel, and, as before, begged for its life. "No,"
said the Weasel, "I never let a mouse go by any chance." "But I'm not
a mouse," said the Bat; "I'm a bird." "Why, so you are," said the
Weasel; and he too let the Bat go.


 

Does "so you are" mean "yes, you are?
"Now, I come to look at you" - does it mean "Let me have a look at you"?

"Why, so you are" - does "why" here mean something like "really"?
  

Top answer

This structure can be used to express surprised agreement: So+subject+auxiliary verb In your sentence, why is an interjection and is used when you are surprised at realizing something. "

— Nikoo

  • This structure can be used to express surprised agreement: So+subject+auxiliary verb In your sentence, why is an interjection and is used when you are surprised at realizing something.
  • "
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3 Answers
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This structure can be used to express surprised agreement: So+subject+auxiliary verb

In your sentence, why is an interjection and is used when you are surprised at realizing something.

- "It's raining."
- "Why, so it is!"
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How about Now I come to look at you.

Is it some old language or very formal?
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Oh, I missed it.
Frankly, I'm not sure about its meaning, but I think it means something like now I notice it or I perceive something in your mood / behavior when I look carefully.

I hope the following examples help you understand its meaning:

- "Well, you are an inquisitive gentleman, now I come to look at you." (Resurrection, Leo Tolstoy
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