“I can fancy the dreary thing!”
“I believe they found out he had all sorts of worries and difficulties.”
“That, of course, was not to be endured, and they jumped at the privilege of paying his debts!” I replied that I knew nothing about his debts, and I reminded my visitor that though the dear Mulvilles were angels they were neither idiots nor millionaires. What they mainly aimed at was re-uniting Mr. Saltram to his wife. “I was expecting to hear that he has basely abandoned her,” Gravener went on, at this, “and I'm too glad you don't disappoint me.”
I tried to recall exactly what Mrs. Mulville had told me. “He didn't leave her—no. It's she who has left him.”
“Left him to us?” Gravener asked. “The monster—many thanks! I decline to take him.”
“You'll hear more about him in spite of yourself. I can't, no, I really can't, resist the impression that he's a big man.” I was already learning—to my shame perhaps be it said—just the tone that my old friend least liked.
“It's doubtless only a trifle,” he returned, “but you haven't happened to mention what his reputation's to rest on.”
“Why, on what I began by boring you with—his extraordinary mind.”
“As exhibited in his writings?”
“Possibly in his writings, but certainly in his talk, which is far and away the richest I ever listened to.”