"He was never married that I know of," said Gilbert.
"What was the reason he failed?" said Isabel.
"He did not fail."
"Did he bring home his wife then? You said he wasn't married."
"He never was, that I know of; but he brought home a wife notwithstanding."
"But how funny you are, Gilbert!" said little Ellen. "He had a wife and he hadn't a wife: what became of her?"
"She lived and flourished. Twelve questions: take care."
"Nobody asked what country he was of," said Margaret, "what was he, Gilbert?"
"He was a Damascene."
"A what?"