was born in America, but my parents were English."

"I asked," Lord Armley continued, "whether you were an Englishman, for
two reasons. One was--well, perhaps you might call it curiosity; the
other because, if you are an Englishman, Mr. Foley and I are going to
make a strong and I hope successful appeal to your patriotism."

"I am afraid," Maraton replied, "that you will be appealing to a
sentiment of which I am ignorant."

"Do you mean," Mr. Foley asked, "that you have no impulse of affection
for your own country?"

"For my country as she exists at present, none at all," Maraton
answered. "That is where I am afraid we shall find this conference so
unsatisfactory. I am not subject to any of the ordinary convictions of
life."

"That certainly makes the task of arguing with you a little difficult,"
Mr. Foley admitted. "We had hoped that the vision of this country
overrun by a triumphant enemy, our towns and our pleasant places in the
hands of an alien race, our women subject to insults from them, our men
treated with scorn--we had an idea that the vision of these things might
count with you for something."

"For nothing at all," Maraton replied. "I am not sure that a successful
invasion of this country would not be one of the best medicines she
could possibly have."

"Are you serious, sir?" Lord Armley asked grimly.