“If Adam called it a cow,” she began——
“He did,” interrupted Cruikshank. “In those days it probably made that sort of noise.”
“Then why,” said Bellwattle, giving him never a moment to retract, “why do they call it a vache in France?”
We all looked at each other—I at Cruikshank, Cruikshank at me, and Bellwattle alternately at both of us.
After a pregnant pause, Cruikshank began to temporise.
“That’s very like a woman,” said he—“you’re going into another issue altogether.”
“Now,” said I, “you’re coming to Bible history.”
“Yes, that’s Bible history,” repeated Cruikshank, “you’re going back to the Tower of Babel.”
“Is that where they wanted to get up to Heaven?” she asked.
We nodded our heads emphatically.