"Perhaps she is not so dreadful as you imagine," said Perrine.
"A Hindu."
"In the books that I read to you it says that the Hindus are more beautiful than the Europeans," said Perrine.
"Travelers' exaggerations," said the old man scoffingly.
"They have graceful figures, faces of pure oval, deep eyes with a proud look. They are patient, courageous, industrious; they are studious...."
"You have a memory!"
"One should always remember what one reads, should not one?" asked Perrine. "It does not seem that the Hindu is such a horrible creature as you say."
"Well, what does all that matter to me as I do not know her?"
"But if you knew her you might perhaps get interested in her and learn to love her."
"Never! I can't bear to think of her and her mother!..."