"What is it?"
"Sum stultus."
"I regret to hear it," said his father, in a tone of amusement.
"Why?" asked Walter, surprised.
"Do you understand the meaning of the words you have just used?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, what is it?"
"They mean, 'I am good.'"
"Indeed,—I had an idea that their meaning was quite different. Suppose you look out stultus in your dictionary."
"I am sure I am right," said Walter, confidently. "I will prove it to you."