“Minister of religion?” said Donovan.
“He acts as such, sir,” said Smith, “at marriages and such-like among his own people; but I don’t know that the Church of England would consider him as a regular clergyman. He appears to be more of the nature of a Lord Mayor than an Archbishop.”
“What does he say?” asked the Queen.
“Does your Majesty wish me to translate literally?”
The Queen nodded.
“I Stephanos,” Smith began, “elder of Salissa and father of the dwellers on the island.”
“Does he mean that they’re all his children?” asked the Queen, “even the babies?”
“I think not, your Majesty,” said Smith, “though I expect he’s father or grandfather of half of them.”
“Go on,” said the Queen.
“I Stephanos, elder of Salissa and father of the dwellers on the island, bid the English lady welcome. All that we have is hers.”