ABSTRACT

20.1(1). The use of should as a real past is even more restricted than the corresponding use of would, and the meaning of obligation in the past is not evident at first blush. But the familiar expression to denote surprise at some past occurrence, "When I crossed the street, who(m) should I see but my old friend Tom?" must be analyzed as 'It was at that particular moment my destiny to run across Tom'. Similarly in all persons.