—Pernobilis et pervetusta familia, Temple said toStephen.
The stout student who stood below them on the steps farted briefly. Dixon turned towards him, saying in a soft voice:
—Did an angel speak?
Cranly turned also and said vehemently but without anger:
—Goggins, you're the flamingest dirty devil I ever met, do you know.
—I had it on my mind to say that, Goggins answered firmly. It did no one any harm, did it.
—We hope, Dixon said suavely, that it was not of the kind known to science as a paulo post futurum.