We can talk without having everybody in the room hear us." "I have just heard that we are bound for the same destination and we can certainly speculate among ourselves as to the outcome of our individual and collective pilgrimages.

We can talk about shipwrecks, pirates, simoons, cholera, sea serpents--" "And the heathen," said Hugh maliciously, but not looking up from his plate.
"Ahem!" coughed loyal Mr.Veath.
"Are there any heathen over there ?" asked Miss Vernon very innocently but also very maliciously.

She smiled at Hugh, who leaned far back in his chair and winked solemnly at the bewildered Veath.

That gentleman, manlike, interpreted Hugh's wink as the means of conveying the information that the tactful young lady asked the question merely to throw him off the scent.

So he answered very politely but very carefully.
"I hear there are more missionaries than heathen." "Indeed?
Don't you think that the women who go out as missionaries among those vile creatures are perfect idiots, Mr.Veath ?" "Well,--ahem, ah," stammered Veath, "I can't say that I do.