Raven 173: The Underlying Scheme

Why is Porcupine putting his question in the mouth of a hypothetical "student"? Why doesn't he just ask the question?

"Underlying scheme of things." Don't be silly. The scheme that underlies is the scheme that's right there on the surface. But tell me: is it the weather? Or is it idle chat about the weather?

Case

Porcupine, conferring with Raven privately, asked, "What if a student asks about the underlying scheme of things -- how would you respond?"
Raven said, "It's cooler tonight. It'll rain tomorrow."
Porcupine said, "Sometimes it rains after a hot spell."
Raven said, "We'll all take shelter with Mole and his family."

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