lofty person at all. I think it's ever so interesting--but papa's a
great man!"

"Is he?" George decided to be good-natured "Well, let us hope so. I
hope so, I'm sure."

Looking at him keenly, she saw that the magnificent youth was
incredibly sincere in this bit of graciousness. He spoke as a
tolerant, elderly statesman might speak of a promising young
politician; and with her eyes still upon him, Lucy shook her head in
gentle wonder. "I'm just beginning to understand," she said.

"Understand what?"

"What it means to be a real Amberson in this town. Papa told me
something about it before we came, but I see he didn't say half
enough!"

George superbly took this all for tribute. "Did your father say he
knew the family before he left here?"

"Yes. I believe he was particularly a friend of your Uncle George; and
he didn't say so, but I imagine he must have known your mother very
well, too. He wasn't an inventor then; he was a young lawyer. The
town was smaller in those days, and I believe he was quite well
known."

"I dare say. I've no doubt the family are all very glad to see him
back, especially if they used to have him at the house a good deal, as
he told you."