The boy appeared to belong to them more than to his own father; his studies and his future destiny filled completely their after-dinner conversations when the doctor was in town.
Don Esteban felt a certain satisfaction in annoying his brother by eulogizing the sedentary and prosperous life.
Over there on the coasts of Catalunia lived his brothers-in-law, the Blanes, genuine wolves of the sea.

The doctor would not be able to contradict that.

Very well, then,--their sons were in Barcelona, some as business clerks, others making a name for themselves in the office of their rich uncle.

They were all sailors' sons and yet they had completely freed themselves from the sea.

Their business was entirely on _terra firma_.