Why, look at our chief engineer--they do say he carried
a banner with his own 'ands: "Hooroar for Gladstone!" I
suppose, or "Down with the Aristocracy!" What 'arm does
the aristocracy do? Show me a country any good without
one! Not the States; why, it's the 'ome of corruption!
I knew a man--he was a good man, 'ome-born--who was
signal-quartermaster in the WYANDOTTE. He told me
he could never have got there if he hadn't have 'run
with the boys'--told it me as I'm telling you. Now,
we're all British subjects here----" he was going on.
"I am afraid I am an American," I said apologetically.
He seemed the least bit taken aback, but recovered
himself; and, with the ready tact of his betters, paid
me the usual British compliment on the riposte. "You
don't say so!" he exclaimed; "well, I give you my word
of honour I'd never have guessed it. Nobody could tell
it on you," said he, as though it were some form of
liquor.
I thanked him, as I always do, at this particular
stage, with his compatriots; not so much, perhaps, for
the compliment to myself and my poor country, as for
the revelation (which is ever fresh to me) of Britannic
self-sufficiency and taste.
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