“In perfect health, madam: in fact I never saw a young man who had been so long in India look so well as your son.”
“There was no yellowness in his look?” asked Mrs Darnley.
“Not the slightest, I can assure Mrs Darnley.”
“And was he not much sun-burnt?”
Mr Primrose smiled, and said, “Not any more, madam, than a young man ought to be; and though I never had the pleasure of seeing the young gentleman before, I do really believe that whatever darkness may have been added to his complexion is rather an improvement to his appearance than otherwise.”
“I am ashamed, Mr Primrose, to be so troublesome; but did you go aboard his ship when you were at St Helena? Do you know what sort of accommodations he had?”
“I certainly did not, madam, but I have every reason to suppose that he had every comfort that could be expected.”
“Why, yes, no doubt. But still it must be a great confinement. It is a very long voyage. Had you any storms, sir, as you came home?”
“Upon my word, Mrs Darnley, I really forget what kind of weather we had; but we had nothing very serious, or I should have remembered it.”
With many such-like questions and answers was the evening beguiled, and it was late before Mr Primrose retired to rest.