"And the olive bough too, I hope," said Hanbury under an impulse of generosity.
"It was a dove not a goddess brought the olive bough."
"But the dove was only a messenger."
"The olive bough was only a symbol; the olive itself was substantive good."
"But is not the symbol of peace better than an earthly meal?"
"Answer your own case out of your own mouth. I have never eaten to-day. I have never eaten yet in all my life. You are filled with divine luxuries. Go you your gait, I go mine. Tell me, Mr. Hanbury, would you rather have the spirit of my promise to you or the flesh of my promise?"
"I do not know exactly what you mean."
"Would you rather trust my word or see my dead body? If I were dead I could not speak."
"Trust your word beyond all doubt," said Hanbury with a perplexed and uneasy smile.
"Hah! I believe you believe what you say. But I am afraid your shoulders are not broad enough, your back is not strong enough for the faith you profess in me. I don't suppose you'd go to the extremity of murdering me, but at this moment you would not be sorry if I fell dead at your feet. Hah!"