"You mean that I am Quipai, and that without me Quipai would be nowhere." "Exactly, Monsieur l'Abbe.

Quipai is a miracle; you are its creator, yet I doubt whether, as it now exists, it could long survive you.

But that is a contingency which we need not discuss; you have still many years of life before you." "I like a well-turned compliment, Monsieur Nigel, because in order to be acceptable it must possess both a modicum of truth and a _soupcon_ of wit.
But flattery I detest, for it must needs be insincere.

A man of ninety cannot, in the nature of things, have many years of life before him.

What are even ten years to one who has already lived nearly a century?
This is a solemn moment for both of us, and I want to be sincere with you.