"I see!" he said, with a twinkle in his eyes. "I have put a dangerous power into your hands. But never mind. The queen may decree as she likes; but the sinews of war, you know"—
I thought he meant that if I went on with my arbitrary behavior, he would drop his oars; and for a little while I behaved better. Soon, however, the spirit of mischief prompting me, I began my tricks again: to my surprise I found that I had no more command over the boat than over the huge barge, which, with its great red-brown sail, was slowly ascending in front of us; I couldn't turn its head an inch in the direction I wanted.
"What does it mean, Percivale?" I cried, pulling with all my might, and leaning forward that I might pull the harder.
"What does what mean?" he returned coolly.
"That I can't move the boat."
"Oh! It means that I have resumed the reins of government."
"But how? I can't understand it."
"And I am wiser than to make you too wise. Education is not a panacea for moral evils. I quote your father, my dear."
And he pulled away as if nothing were the matter.
"Please, I like steering," I said remonstratingly. "And I like rowing."