But when you come to know him so as to
be able to measure his consummate knowledge of the world, and to
have the opportunity of reflecting upon the good-natured but profound
cynicism which pleasantly pervades his talk as absolutely as the flavour
of lemon pervades rum punch, you would be inclined to assign his natal
day to a much earlier date. In reality he was forty, neither more nor
less, and had both preserved his youthful appearance and gained the
mellowness of his experience by a judicious use of the opportunities of
life.
"Well, my dear George," said Sir Eustace, addressing his
brother--determined to take this occasion of meeting after so long a
time to be rid of the nickname "Bottles," which he hated--"I haven't had
such a pleasure for years."
"As--as what?"
"As meeting you again, of course. When I saw you on the vessel I knew
you at once. You have not changed at all, unless expansion can be called
a change."
"Nor have you, Eustace, unless contraction can be called a change. Your
waist used to be bigger, you know."
"Ah, George, I drank beer in those days; it is one of things of which I
have lived to see the folly. In fact, there are not many things of which
I have not lived to see the folly.
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