“But it is not nonsense, John,” said the old lady. “Surely you don’t mean to say that I do not know what I’m talking about. That dreadful man is a descendant of the old Philistines. You heard him say as plainly as could be something about Baal.”
Norman burst into a roar of laughter.
“Norman, my dear, how can you be such a rude child?” cried the old lady reprovingly.
“Why, aunt, baal means none, or not any.”
“Nonsense, my dear!”
“But it does, aunt. Baal black fellow means that there are none about.”
“Baal black fellow,” cried Shanter, nodding. “Mine not see plenty—all gone.”
“There, aunt.”
“Oh dear me! what a dreadful jargon. Come here, sir, and I’ll give you some damper.”
Aunt Georgie seated herself, took one of the great cakes she had made, and broke it in half, holding it out to the black.