“Well,” said Margaret. “And don’t you judge everybody else? Better judge, I think, with some knowledge of the law.”
“Don’t lose your temper about it. You’re such a funny devil.”
“Mr. Iles,” said Olivia, in order to create a diversion. “Have you ever been in Virginia, in any of your voyages?”
“Yes, miss. I been there two or three times.”
“Tell us about it, Mr. Iles,” said Margaret. “Were you there at the time of the rebellion?”
“I was there just after.”
“What was the cause of the rebellion?” Olivia asked. “It was hushed up, in England. But a man I once met told me that it was a very terrible thing. You remember Charles Myngs, Charles? He was one of the rebels.”
“I know. He was very lucky to get away. The rebellion was caused by the action of a wise, far-seeing young man, who objected to paying taxes to, and being governed by, a body of wiseacres three thousand miles away, who gave nothing in return, except expensive impositions.”
“You talk like a rebel yourself,” said Stukeley. “I suppose you sympathize with them?”
“Most certainly I do.”