Part 48 (1/2)
”Well, dear, I suppose you may go.”
Without further delay Ethel started off, and Tozer walked by her side.
They went under the fallen tree, and then walked quickly along the road.
”Do you speak Italian, miss?” asked Tozer.
”No.”
”I'm sorry for that. I don't either. I'm told it's a fine language.”
”So I believe; but how very awkward it will be not to be able to speak to any person!”
”Well, the Italian is a kind of offshoot of the Latin, and I can sc.r.a.pe together a few Latin words--enough to make myself understood, I do believe.”
”Can you, really? How very fortunate!”
”It is somewhat providential, miss, and I hope I may succeed.”
They walked on in silence now for some time. Ethel was too sad to talk, and Tozer was busily engaged in recalling all the Latin at his command. After a while he began to grow sociable.
”Might I ask, miss, what persuasion you are?”
”Persuasion?” said Ethel, in surprise.
”Yes, 'm; de-nomination--religious body, you know.”
”Oh! why, I belong to the Church.”
”Oh! and what church did you say, 'm?”
”The Church of England.”
”H'm. The 'Piscopalian body. Well, it's a high-toned body.”
Ethel gave a faint smile at this whimsical application of a name to her church, and then Tozer returned to the charge.
”Are you a professor?”
”A what?”
”A professor.”
”A professor?” repeated Ethel. ”I don't think I _quite_ understand you.”
”Well, do you belong to the church? Are you a member?”
”Oh yes.”
”I'm glad to hear it. It's a high and a holy and a happy perrivelege to belong to the church and enjoy the means of grace. I trust you live up to your perriveleges?”