Elizabeth.
Don't you see, child? The tiger was the noblest of beasts for them; there was nothing else so royal and terrible. They meant that he was nobler than the noblest! [She speaks with quiet emotion.
Carlyon.
Exactly! Exactly! And they happened to be fond of snakes, so they said I was like one! [Satirically.
Elizabeth.
Of course they only saw him as a deadly fighter; that was as much as they could understand! They never dreamed of the heights and depths——
Carlyon.
You would have made me one of your invalid fowls, Elizabeth, wouldn't you? Hullo, has one of them been biting you? [Pointing to her hand in the handkerchief.
Vera.