“But not a resident?” said the other, whose turn of mind was decidedly inquisitive.
“No.”
“Now what part might you have come from, sir, if you’ll excuse the liberty?” asked the man confidently.
“From Australia.”
“God bless my heart and soul! You don’t say so! Dear me! Australia! Is it possible? I consider myself a bit of a traveller; but in your presence, sir, I feel my insignificance.”
Holdsworth laughed, but made no answer.
“They say that Australia is a wonderful country, sir: that you grow cherries with the stones outside, and that your parrots are like sea-gulls. Fine climate though, I believe, sir, if you will pardon me?”
“Very fine.”
“And yet not equal to ours?”
“Perhaps not.”