"Yes, that's all right," Rames admitted, as he leaned forward and glanced at the card. "But why should it particularly appeal to me?"
Sir James Burrell shrugged his shoulders.
"My profession brings me into touch with interesting people. I take my pleasure in observing them. And I have always noticed that the men who cheerfully endure the greatest hardships are also the first to demand the best of the luxuries, when they are within reach."
"Well, it's true," said Captain Rames. "I can make a shift with pemmican, but I honestly like a good dinner. It's the contrast, I suppose."
Sir James shook his head.
"It goes deeper than that," said he. "Your pale saints are no doubt profitable to the painters of glass windows, but I doubt if the world owes so very much to them. The great things are really done by the people who have a good deal of the animal in them; and animals like good dinners."
Captain Rames was mollified, and his face took on a jovial look.
"I am animal enough," he said, "to purr when my back is scratched."
But Sir James Burrell was mounted on a hobby and hardly heeded the interruption.
"I could quote historical instances, but I need go no further than this room. Do you see the man sitting next to our host, and upon his right?"