His respiration, circulation and digestion will soon be obstructed and strangulation will be rapid." He sighed and stood with an unlighted cigar in his mouth, his face rigid, his arms folded.

The young man sat down, leaning back in his chair, and tapped the marble mantelpiece with his idle fingers.
"What shall I tell the young woman ?" "Put on a subdued manner and tell her it is serious, very serious, but no one can tell, nature is infinitely resourceful." "That's so hackneyed." "So much the better," said the old man.
"But if she insists on knowing ?" "Don't give in." "Shall we not hold out a little hope?
She is so young." "No.

For that very reason we mustn't.

She'd become too hopeful.

My boy, never say anything superfluous at such a time.