“John the Baptist, madam.”
At this Mr. Johns very properly interposed with:
“I don’t tolerate jokes about the Bible, young man.”
Even Vincent looked as though he expected Wynne to be struck down by some divine and correcting hand. Mrs. Johns was frankly horrified.
“Look at your catalogue,” said Wynne.
This advice Mr. Johns accepted, but even the printed words failed to convince him.
“If that’s John the Baptist,” he remarked, “all I can say is that it’s not my idea of John the Baptist.”
“What is your idea, sir.”
“An elderly gentleman with a beard.”
“With all respect, I think Leonardo’s is preferable. Youth is more appealing than middle age. These half humorous, wholly inspired features would lose the greater measure of their attraction if the lower part of the face were covered with hair.”