"My mother," he replied, "is in rude health--or, as you would say, full of
beans."

The Archdeacon made a deprecatory movement, repudiating the metaphor.

"She not only motors," the layman pursued, "but she can walk. Can your
mother walk?"

"I am sorry to say," said the Archdeacon, "that my mother has to be helped
a good deal."

"Ha!" said the layman.

"But," the Archdeacon continued, "she has all her other faculties. Can your
mother still read?"

"My mother is a most accomplished and assiduous knitter," said the bearded
man.

"No doubt, no doubt," the Archdeacon agreed; "but my question was, Can she
still read?"

"With glasses--yes," said the other.

"Ha!" exclaimed the Archdeacon, "I thought so. Now my dear mother can still
read the smallest print without glasses."

We murmured our approval.