Works . you mean ? asked Nicholas. Do you consider it a good language, sir? said thecollector; a pretty language, a sensible language? A pretty language, certainly, replied Nicholas; and asit has a name for everything, and admits of elegant conversa-tion about everything, I presume it is a sensible one. I dont know, said Mr. Lillyvick, doubtfully. Do youcall it a cheerful language, now? Yes, replied Nicholas, I should say it was, certainly. Its very much changed since my time, then, said thecollector, very much. Was it a dismal one in your time? asked Nicholas,scarcely able to repress a smile.
Works . you mean ? asked Nicholas. Do you consider it a good language, sir? said thecollector; a pretty language, a sensible language? A pretty language, certainly, replied Nicholas; and asit has a name for everything, and admits of elegant conversa-tion about everything, I presume it is a sensible one. I dont know, said Mr. Lillyvick, doubtfully. Do youcall it a cheerful language, now? Yes, replied Nicholas, I should say it was, certainly. Its very much changed since my time, then, said thecollector, very much. Was it a dismal one in your time? asked Nicholas,scarcely able to repress a smile. Very, replied Mr. Lillyvick, with some vehemence ofmanner. Its the war time that I speak of; the last may be a cheerful language. I should be sorry to contradictanybody; but I can only say that Ive heard the »Frenchprisoners, who were natives, and ought to know how tospeak it, talking in such a dismal manner, that it made onemiserable to hear them. Ay, that I have, fifty times, sir-fifty times!. OPINION OF THE FRENCH LANGUAGE. 247 Mr. Lillyvick was waxing so cross, that Mrs. Kenwigsthought it expedient to motion to Nicholas not to sayanything; and it was not until Miss Petowker had practisedseveral blandishments to soften the excellent old gentleman,that he deigned to break silence, by asking, Whafs the water in French, sir ? UEau replied Nicholas. Ah !M said Mr. Lillyvick, shaking his head mournfully, I thought as much. Lo, eh ? I dont think anything ofthat language—nothing at all. I suppose the children may begin, uncle ? said Oh yes; they may begin, my dear, replied the collector,discontentedly. / have no wish to prevent them. This permission being conceded, the four Miss Kenwigses satin a row, with their tails all one way, and Morleena at thetop: while Nicholas, taking the book, began his preliminaryexplanations. Miss Petowker and Mrs. Kenwigs looked on,in silent admiration, broken only by the whispered assurancesof the latter, that Morleena would ha
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