If you think of it, nobody understands anything.
They know that certain things happen, and how to make them happen; but they don't know why they happen, or why, as in your case, when they ought to happen, they won't." "It is all very well for you to be philosophical," he answered, turning upon her; "but can't you see, Mary, that the thing there is my life's work?
It is what I have given all my strength and all my brain to make, and if it fails in the end--why, then I fail too, once and forever.

And I have made it talk.

It talked perfectly between this place and Seaview, and now you stand there and tell me that it won't work any more because I don't understand you.

Then what am I to do ?" "Try to understand me, if you think it worth while, which I don't; or go on experimenting," she answered.

"Try to find some substance which is less exquisitely sensitive, something a little grosser, more in key with the material world; or to discover someone whom you do understand.