“A jackass, your Excellency?”
“Yes, indeed! And to think of the jest of putting him off with dead souls! Ha, ha, ha! WHAT wouldn’t I give to see you handing him the title deeds? Who is he? What is he like? Is he very old?”
“He is eighty, your Excellency.”
“But still brisk and able to move about, eh? Surely he must be pretty strong to go on living with his housekeeper like that?”
“Yes. But what does such strength mean? Sand runs away, your Excellency.”
“The old fool! But is he really such a fool?”
“Yes, your Excellency.”
“And does he go out at all? Does he see company? Can he still hold himself upright?”
“Yes, but with great difficulty.”
“And has he any teeth left?”