"That is nearly a tautology." But while Lord Finkle-McGraw was not the 
sort to express feelings promiscuously, he gave the appearance of being nearly 
satisfied with the way the conversation was going. He turned back toward the 
view again and watched the children for a minute or so, twisting the point of 
his walking-stick into the ground as if he were still skeptical of the island's 
integrity. Then he swept the stick around in an arc that encompassed half the 
island. "How many of those children do you suppose are destined to lead 
interesting lives?"