"You have had a trying time of it lately, taking it by and large.

I was _very_ painfully shocked to hear of your father's death.

I had met him at lunch hardly a week before; he was a far heartier man than I was.

Eat?
You should have seen--splendid appetite.

He spoke at length of you, I remember; told me you expected to go abroad soon to study painting; in fact, I believe he was to go to Paris with you.