And there is Val in constant correspondence with her, and as secure as possible!" Conversation then turned to the Melcombes.

Old Augustus spoke uneasily of the boy, said he looked pale, and was not grown.
"He gets that pallor from his mother," said John.

"I should not like to see any of my children such complete reproductions of either parent as that boy is of her.

Family likeness is always strongest among the uncultivated, and among lethargic and stupid people.

If you go down into the depths of the country, to villages, where the parents hardly think at all, and the children learn next to nothing, you'll find whole families of them almost exactly alike, excepting in size." His father listened quietly, but with the full intention of bringing the conversation back to Peter as soon as he could.
"It is the same with nations," proceeded John, "those who have little energy and no keen desire for knowledge are ten times more alike in feature, complexion, and countenance than we are.