unearths some literary gems.
From E. V. Lucas:
***
"Wiles says that apes are the next things to us. Wiles says they have brains and beautiful natures; but what gives me most peace of mind is knowing that they haven't got tails. Tails would be too much, as I often tell him. I've got a bit of writing about it which Wiles found in a dictionary, and if you'll permit me, sir, I'll bring it round and show it to you to-morrow morning. I always keep it in the Bible, handy."
Mrs. Wiles unfolded it the next morning and I read aloud these words: "In common use the word ape extends to all the tribe of monkeys and baboons, but in the zoological sense" ("Ah!" said Mrs. Wiles, smoothing her apron) "It is restricted to those higher organized species of the Linnaean genus Simia, which are destitute of a tail, as the ourangs, chimpanzees, and gibbons."
"There!" she said triumphantly, when I had finished.
