"Blinkely men ong," he said clearly. There was a murmur of rapt admiration.
"Hindustani, I believe," said the Vicar's wife doubtfully. "My father was in India several years."
William soared to further heights.
"Clemmeny fal tog," he said.
"The darling!" said the old lady. "I'm sure he's saying something beautiful." She held out a second slab of chocolate. "I love those Eastern languages, so—musical."
"It's certainly Hindustani," said the Vicar's wife. "It all comes back to me."
"Oh, what was he saying?"
"He was saying," said the Vicar's wife, "'Thank you for your kindness and food.'"
"How beautiful!" said the fat lady, handing him a third slab of chocolate. "I was taking this home for my son," she explained, "but I'd much rather give it to our dear little native protégé. Isn't it a beautiful thought that we reared and clothed him all this time?"
"I distinctly remember making that little green shirt," said the Vicar's wife.