Come: you don't mean to say that
you've brought me here without knowing who I am?

SWINDON. As a matter of form, sir, give your name.

RICHARD. As a matter of form then, my name is Anthony Anderson,
Presbyterian minister in this town.

BURGOYNE (interested). Indeed! Pray, Mr. Anderson, what do you
gentlemen believe?

RICHARD. I shall be happy to explain if time is allowed me. I cannot
undertake to complete your conversion in less than a fortnight.

SWINDON (snubbing him). We are not here to discuss your views.

BURGOYNE (with an elaborate bow to the unfortunate Swindon). I stand
rebuked.

SWINDON (embarrassed). Oh, not you, I as--

BURGOYNE. Don't mention it. (To Richard, very politely) Any political
views, Mr. Anderson?

RICHARD. I understand that that is just what we are here to find out.

SWINDON (severely). Do you mean to deny that you are a rebel?

RICHARD. I am an American, sir.

SWINDON. What do you expect me to think of that speech, Mr. Anderson?

RICHARD. I never expect a soldier to think, sir.

Burgoyne is boundlessly delighted by this retort, which almost
reconciles him to the loss of America.

SWINDON (whitening with anger). I advise you not to be insolent,
prisoner.

RICHARD. You can't help yourself, General. When you make up your mind
to hang a man, you put yourself at a disadvantage with him. Why should
I be civil to you? I may as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb.

SWINDON. You have no right to assume that the court has made up its
mind without a fair trial. And you will please not address me as
General. I am Major Swindon.

RICHARD. A thousand pardons. I thought I had the honor of addressing
Gentlemanly Johnny.

Sensation among the officers. The sergeant has a narrow escape from a
guffaw.

BURGOYNE (with extreme suavity). I believe I am Gentlemanly Johnny,
sir, at your service. My more intimate friends call me General
Burgoyne. (Richard bows with perfect politeness.) You will understand,
sir, I hope, since you seem to be a gentleman and a man of some spirit
in spite of your calling, that if we should have the misfortune to hang
you, we shall do so as a mere matter of political necessity and
military duty, without any personal ill-feeling.

RICHARD. Oh, quite so. That makes all the difference in the world, of
course.

They all smile in spite of themselves: and some of the younger officers
burst out laughing.

JUDITH (her dread and horror deepening at every one of these j