They all smile in spite of themselves: and some of the younger officers burst out laughing.
JUDITH.
(her dread and horror deepening at every one of these jests and compliments). How CAN you?
RICHARD.
You promised to be silent.
BURGOYNE.
(to Judith, with studied courtesy). Believe me, madam, your husband is placing us under the greatest obligation by taking this very disagreeable business so thoroughly in the spirit of a gentleman. Sergeant: give Mr. Anderson a chair. (The sergeant does so. Richard sits down.) Now, Major Swindon: we are waiting for you.
SWINDON.
You are aware, I presume, Mr. Anderson, of your obligations as a subject of His Majesty King George the Third.
RICHARD.
I am aware, sir, that His Majesty King George the Third is about to hang me because I object to Lord North’s robbing me.
SWINDON.
That is a treasonable speech, sir.
RICHARD.
(briefly). Yes. I meant it to be.
BURGOYNE.
(strongly deprecating this line of defence, but still polite). Don’t you think, Mr. Anderson, that this is rather—if you will excuse the word—a vulgar line to take? Why should you cry out robbery because of a stamp duty and a tea duty and so forth? After all, it is the essence of your position as a gentleman that you pay with a good grace.
RICHARD.
It is not the money, General. But to be swindled by a pig-headed lunatic like King George.