A sort of sigh emanated from his wife.
“In a warm country,” she said, “a long way off?”
Mr. Lorton nodded.
“Healthy but remote,” he said, “where his moral enthusiasm could have full play?”
“And where his personal appearance,” said Mrs. Lorton, “could scarcely fail to be such a protection to him?”
“Quite so,” said Mr. Lorton. “I can conceive of no one eating dear Augustus.”
Mrs. Lorton smiled not unkindly.
“No one at all,” she said, “not even the most debased.”
Afterwards, as we discovered, these remarks lacked sincerity. But for the moment we were not ungrateful. Colouring with pleasure my father lifted his hand.
“I am again obliged to you,” he said, “for your tribute.”