His lordship was silent for a while.
"Do you think sir, that the Queen will see this weak point?"
"I am quite sure that her advisers will."
"And do you think—hush, Mr. Goslett, let us whisper. Do you think that the Queen will refuse to give us the title because of this weak point? Hush! she may be outside." He meant his wife, not Her Majesty.
"A committee of the House of Lords most undoubtedly may refuse to consider your claim proved."
His lordship nodded his head in consideration of this possibility. Then he laughed gently and rubbed his hands.
"It would be rough at first. That is so, for certain, sure. There would be sleepless nights. And Aurelia Tucker would laugh. Clara Martha would——" he shuddered. "Wal, if we hev to go home without our title, I should be resigned. When a man is sixty years of age, sir, and, though born to greatness, not brought up accordin' to his birth, he can't always feel like settin' in a row with a crown upon his head; and though I wouldn't own up before Clara Martha, I doubt whether the British peers would consider my company quite an honor to the Upper House. Though a plain citizen of the United States, sir, is as good as any lord that lives."
"Better," said Harry. "He is much better."
"He is, Mr. Goslett, he is. In the land where the Bird of Freedom——"