"Why, then, was I not consulted?"
"There was hardly time, your Majesty."
"I was here."
"I apprehended that the recent event—so very upsetting to your Majesty——"
"Come, come," interjected the King, "if I was able to read my speech immediately after it—as I did—I was quite able to attend to other business as well; and you ought to have known it."
The King did not thus usually speak to one of his ministers; but, having just had to face so heavy a defeat of his plans for honorable retirement, he was the more bent on asserting himself.
"Your Majesty will pardon me, it had to be issued to the press without a moment's delay. We had received information which made the matter of great urgency."
"I will hear your explanation," said the King coldly; and the Secretary went on.
"You are doubtless aware, sir, that about these sentences there has been a very considerable agitation among the workers; and the utter failure of the strike has not improved matters."
"I am aware of that," said the King.