"Yes, and he'll live to be ninety. You'll see."
"Ninety!"
"I'm not joking. It wouldn't surprise me if he outlived us both."
There was a gasp of horror from the Frenchwoman.
"Oh, Arthur, it's cruel of you! Besides, I tell you, it's impossible; it's——"
"Yes, I know, it's simply not done. But he'll do it, you'll see."
"I will not see. I refuse to believe it. He cannot, he——"
"Steady on, Thérèse!"
There was a note of warning in his voice the cause of which Esther perceived when a moment later the couple were joined by a plump Frenchwoman with hennaed hair and a burnt-orange make-up.
"Comment ça va, Thérèse? Ah, Captain, on me dit que vous avez l'intention de nous quitter. C'est vrai?"