"Christian Life, indeed! What right has James Martineau to call himself a Christian? When he denies Christ—the Lord who bought him! And makes no secret of it. How can you respect an infidel who uses Christ's name to cover up his blasphemy?"
Aunt Lavvy was smiling now.
"I thought you said he made no secret of it?"
Mamma said, "You know very well what I mean."
"If you knew Dr. Martineau—"
"You've no business to know him," Emilius said, "when your brother Victor and I disapprove of him."
Emilius was carving chicken. He had an air of kindly, luscious hospitality, hesitating between the two flawless breasts.
"Dr. Martineau is the wisest and holiest man I ever knew," said Aunt
Lavvy.
"I daresay your sister Charlotte thinks Mr. Marriott the wisest and the holiest man she ever knew."
He settled the larger breast on Aunt Lavvy's plate and laid on it one perfect star of beetroot. He could do that while he insulted her.