One evening the four boys encountered the simple sentence—"majoris pretii quam quod æstimari possit."
"'Priceless''ll cover that," said Cæsar.
"Or 'inesteemable,'" said the Demon.
The three other boys stared at the Demon, and then at each other. The Caterpillar, something of a purist in his way, drawled out—
"One pronounces that 'inestimable.'"
"My father doesn't," said Scaife, hotly. "I've heard him say 'inesteemable.'"
"No doubt," said Egerton, coldly. "How does your father pronounce it, Cæsar?"
Desmond said hurriedly, "Oh, 'inestimable'; but what does it matter?"
The Demon sprang up, furious. "It matters this," he cried. "I'm d——d if I'll have Egerton sitting in my room sneering at my governor. After this he'll do his work in his own room, or I'll do mine in the passage."
Before Desmond could speak, Scaife had whirled out of the room, slamming the door. John looked stupefied with dismay.