with the King at Buckingham Palace, when His Majesty himself, laying
his hand familiarly on Cleggett's shoulder, renewed the petition in
person. It is hard to refuse things continually without seeming
unappreciative. In fact, Cleggett felt trapped; if the truth must be
known, he was a little angry.

"Come, come, Cleggett," said the King, "lay aside your prejudices and
oblige me. After all, it is not the sort of thing I run about offering
to every American in London!"

"Your Majesty," said Cleggett, politely but with a note of firmness and
finality in his voice, "since you mention the word American you force
me to speak plainly. I would not willingly wound your sensibilities in
any particular, but--pardon me if I am direct--you have been very
persistent. I AM an American, your Majesty, and I consider the honor
of being an American citizen far above any that it is within your power
to bestow. If I have not mentioned this before, it was because I did
not wish to hurt you. I hope our friendship will not cease, but I must
tell you flatly that I desire to hear no more of this. You will oblige
me by not mentioning it again, Your Majesty."

The King begged Cleggett's pardon with a becoming sincerity, and was
about to withdraw. Cleggett, who liked him immensely, was sudden
smitten with a regret that it had been so impossible to oblige him.

"Your Majesty," he cried impulsively, "I BEG of you not to get the idea
that there is anything personal in this refusal."

"I respect principle," said the King gravely. But he WAS hurt and
could not help showing it, and he was a little stiff.

"We will compromise," said Cleggett, with a flash of inspiration.

"I will let you have my second son, Athos Cleggett. You may make him
Earl of Claiborne, if you choose. After all, HE is half English!"

"That is like your generosity, Cleggett," said the King, smiling, and
giving Cleggett his hand.

End of Project Gutenberg's The Cruise of the Jasper B., by Don Marquis

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