duct, the same _firmness_. I think my duty to the master I
serve, and to the government of this nation, requires it of me. If
that conduct is not approved, _they_ may take that office from me
when they please: I shall make them a bow and thank them; I shall
resign with pleasure. That gentleman [Mr. Pownall] knows it; but
while I continue in it I shall resolutely persevere in the same
_firmness_."

Speaking thus, his lordship seemed warm, and grew pale, as if "angry at
something or somebody besides the agent, and of more consequence to
himself." Franklin thereupon, taking back his credentials, said,
speaking with an innuendo aimed at that which had not been expressed,
but which lay plainly visible behind his lordship's pallor and
excitement:--

"I beg your lordship's pardon for taking up so much of your
lordship's time. It is, I believe, of no great importance whether
the appointment is acknowledged or not, for I have not the least
conception that an agent can, _at present_, be of any use to any of
the colonies. I shall therefore give your lordship no further
trouble."

Therewith he made his exit, and went home to write the foregoing sketch
of the scene. Certainly throughout so irritating an interview he had
conducted himself with creditable self-restraint and moderation, yet
with his closing sentence he had sent home a dart which rankled. He soon
heard that his lordship "took great offense" at these last words,
regarding them as "extremely rude and abusive," and as "equivalent to
telling him to his face that the colonies could expect neither favor nor
justice during his administration." "I find," adds Franklin, with placid
satisfaction in the skill with which he had shot his bolt, "I find he
did not mistake me."

So Franklin retained the gratification which lies in having administered
a stinging and appreciated retort; a somewhat empty and entirely
personal gratification, it must be admitted. Hillsborough kept the
substance of victory, inasmuch as he persisted in refusing to recognize
Franklin as the agent of the Massachusetts Bay. Yet in this he did not
annihilate, indeed very slightly curtailed, Franklin's usefulness. It
merely signified that Franklin ceased to be an official conduit for
petitions and like communications. His weight and influence, based upon
his knowledge and prestige, remained unimpugned. In a word, it was of
little consequence that the