‘These are themes I’ll not attempt to discuss,’ said Lockwood; ‘but I know one thing, it takes three times as much military force to govern the smaller island.’
‘That is to say, to govern the country after your fashion; but leave it to ourselves. Pack your portmanteaus and go away, and then see if we’ll need this parade of horse, foot, and dragoons; these batteries of guns and these brigades of peelers.’
‘You’d be the first to beg us to come back again.’
‘Doubtless, as the Greeks are begging the Turks. Eh, mademoiselle; can you fancy throwing yourself at the feet of a Pasha and asking leave to be his slave?’
‘The only Greek slave I ever heard of,’ said Lockwood, ‘was in marble and made by an American.’
‘Come into the drawing-room and I’ll sing you something,’ said Nina, rising.
‘Which will be far nicer and pleasanter than all this discussion,’ said Joe.
‘And if you’ll permit me,’ said Lockwood, ‘we’ll leave the drawing-room door open and let poor Walpole hear the music.’
‘Would it not be better first to see if he’s asleep?’ said she.
‘That’s true. I’ll step up and see.’