"But perhaps, young sir, Latinity is not one of your subjects.

The tongue of the immortal Cicero----" "I speak it a little," Claude answered quietly.

"It were foolish to approach the door of learning without the key." "Oh, you are a wit, young sir! Well, with your wit and your Latinity can you construe this:-- Stultitiam expellas, furca tamen usque recurret Tissotius periit terque quaterque redit!" "I think so," Claude replied gravely.
"Good, if it please you! And the meaning ?" "Tissot was a fool, and you are another!" the young man returned.

"Will you now solve me one, reverend sir, with all submission ?" "Said and done!" the big man answered disdainfully.
"Nec volucres plumae faciunt nec cuspis Achillem! Construe me that then if you will!" Basterga shrugged his shoulders.

"Fine feathers do not make fine birds!" he said.