Flink. Yes, that day, I dare say!
Gran. Remember you are the guest of a man who is a friend of the King's!
The King. Don't play the domestic despot—you who are a republican! Let us have free discussion!
Flink. I certainly don't intend to insult the King. He has never done me any harm. But surely you will allow me to doubt whether he is really the shining light you make him out to be?
The King. That is true enough!
Flink (eagerly). You agree with me as to that, then?
The King. Absolutely! But—leaving him out of the question—suppose we had a king who made himself independent of others, and, as a necessary consequence, rose superior to questions of party—?
Flink (interrupting him). It is a vain supposition, my dear fellow! A king bound to no party? (Puffs at his pipe.) It wouldn't work! (Puffs again.) It wouldn't work!—It wouldn't work!—Falsehood is the foundation of constitutional monarchy. A king superior to questions of party? Rubbish!
Gran. It would be expecting something superhuman of him, too.
Flink. Of course it would!