Possible Clues:

• Had by heart
• Wasn't surprised
• Was familiar with central character in Dickens novel
• 'I ___ this was a bad idea'
• Presumably had already read Steinbeck's last novel
• Appreciated November in botanic gardens
• Had sex with, biblically
• Wasn't guessing
• Beatles "I thought I ___ you, what did I know?"
• Didn't just suppose