Joke: Scientist was not a romantic person

I don't have time to read the entire book to you, but I will just point out some words here:
a constant companion, a friend in old age, one to feel interest in one, an object to be beloved and played with.
Well, but then the scientist writes above that line of the book:
"Better than a pet, anyhow."
Okay, the scientist was not a romantic, (s)he was a scientist.