Geissler felt perhaps some touch of malice at the portly complacency of the man of law; he said:
"Erasmus was born out of wedlock."
"Erasmus …?"
"Erasmus of Rotterdam."
"H'm."
"And Leonardo the same."
"Leonardo da Vinci? Really? Well, of course, there are exceptions, otherwise there would be no rule. But on the whole…."
"We pass protective measures for beast and bird," said Geissler; "seems rather strange, doesn't it, not to trouble about our own young?"
The advocate for the Crown reached out slowly and with dignity after some papers on the table, as a hint that he had not time to continue the discussion. "Yes…." said he absently. "Yes, yes, no doubt…."
Geissler expressed his thanks for a most instructive conversation, and took his leave.