The excerpt tells us that the man does not believe the machines will work. Therefore, we know he is not hopeful or optimistic. Moreover, the excerpt does not mention his attitudes toward theories or sacrifice. The most likely answer is that the man only checks the machines because of habit and discipline, and not because he believes anything will come out of it.
it might mean that frogs like being in public and "public" would mean that the frog doesn't like to be seen because it has camouflage. hope it helps ;)
