Something in his tone
suggested that he rather endorsed the verdict.
"I believe I once considerably scandalised her by declaring that clear
soup was a more important factor in life than a clear conscience. She
had very little sense of proportion. By the way, she made you her
principal heir, didn't she?"
"Yes," said Egbert, "and executor as well. It's in that connection that
I particularly want to speak to you."
"Business is not my strong point at any time," said Sir Lulworth, "and
certainly not when we're on the immediate threshold of lunch."
"It isn't exactly business," explained Egbert, as he followed his uncle
into the dining-room.
"It's something rather serious. Very serious."
"Then we can't possibly speak about it now," said Sir Lulworth; "no one
could talk seriously during a borshch. A beautifully constructed
borshch, such as you are going to experience presently, ought not only to
banish conversation but almost to annihilate thought. Later on, when we
arrive at the second stage of olives, I shall be quite ready to discuss
that new book on Borrow, or, if you prefer it, the present situation in
the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg. But I absolutely decline to talk anything
approaching business till we have finished with the bird."
For the greater part of the meal Egbert sat in an abstracted silence, the
silence of a man whose mind is focussed on one topic. When the coffee
stage had been reached he launched himself suddenly athwart his uncle's
reminiscences of the Court of Luxemburg.
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