"Then, why in heaven's name do you scribble?" cried the King.
"In my country one may have an honored name and still be compelled to earn a competence."
"Ah, yes! After all, scribbling is better than owning a shop." This is the usual argument of Kings. "Can you trace your pedigree very far back?" the King proceeded.
"My ancestors came over in the Mayflower," said I.
"The Mayflower?" said the King, puzzled.
"All the Americans," explained the Chancellor, "went over in the Mayflower. The ark and the Mayflower were the largest ships ever put to sea, Your Majesty." To hide his smile, the Chancellor passed over to the window and began drawing pictures on the frosted panes.
Continued the King: "If you loved one of my countrywomen, would you be willing to sacrifice your own country? I mean, would you be willing to adopt mine, to become a naturalized citizen, to uphold its laws, to obey the will of its sovereign, and to take up arms in its defense?"
My knees began to knock together. "I should be willing," I answered, "if I should never be called upon to bear arms against the country in which I was born."
"I should never ask you to do that," replied the King.
"No; His Majesty has too wholesome a respect for America," the
Chancellor interpolated.