Part 8 (1/2)
The King rose and, as his great chair was drawn back, walked to the nearest window and stood while Rockstone brought Edestone up to him.
Extending his hand he said:
”Mr. Edestone, Mr. Underhill tells me that you are from New York. It has been a source of great regret to me that I have never been able to visit your wonderful country. I recall very distinctly, though, a stay of several weeks that I made in Bermuda, and of the many charming Americans whom I met there at that time. I was, then, the Duke of York,” he sighed.
His manner was cordial and he seemed to wish to put Edestone at ease, a.s.suming with him an air rather less formal than he would have shown toward one of his own subjects of the middle cla.s.s--the one great cla.s.s to which the n.o.bility, gentry, and servants of England a.s.sign all Americans, although the first two often try hard to conceal this while the last seem to fear that the Americans may forget it.
”I am rather surprised to find you so young a man after hearing of your wonderful achievements in science,” the King went on, adding with rather a sad smile: ”It seems a pity to take you from some charming English girl with whom you might be having tea this beautiful spring afternoon and bring you to this old barracks to discuss instruments of death and destruction.” And his face seemed very old.
After a pause he turned to Rockstone and directing him to introduce Edestone he went back to his seat and with a slight gesture ordered the rest to resume their places. He fixed his eyes on Edestone, who had been taken back to the other end of the table where he stood perfectly still. Not once had the American spoken since coming into the room. He had acknowledged the King's great kindness with a bow which showed plainer than words in what deep respect he held the head of the great English-speaking race. This seemed to have made a good impression on some of the older men, who up to this time had not deigned to look in his direction. One of the younger men murmured in an undertone: ”Young-looking chap to have kicked up such a rumpus, isn't he? He has deuced good manners for an American.”
Meanwhile Lord Rockstone, bowing to the King and then to the rest of the company, was proceeding with the introduction, briefly explaining that Mr. Edestone had requested to be allowed to appear before His Majesty and explain certain inventions which he claimed to have made.
The King, however, seeming determined to make it as easy as possible for the American, chose to supplement this formality.
”Mr. Edestone,” he said with a smile, ”since this meeting is to be, as you say in America, 'just a gentlemen's meeting,' you may sit down while you tell us about your wonderful discovery.”
Edestone acknowledged the courtesy with a slight bow but declined.
”Your Majesty, with your kind permission, I should prefer to stand,”
and, then, without the slightest sign of embarra.s.sment, he continued:
”I thank Your Majesty for your kindness. I will as briefly as I can explain that to which you have so graciously referred as my wonderful discovery, but before doing this, I beg to be allowed to set forth to you my position relative to Your Majesty and Your Majesty's subjects.
Should I in my enthusiasm at any time violate any of the established rules of court etiquette, please always remember that it is due to my ignorance and not to any lack of deep and sincere respect or that affection which I and all true Anglo-Saxons have for your person as representing the head of that great people and the King of 'Old England.'”
A thrill went through the room. The King was evidently affected. One old gentleman, who up to this time had taken absolutely no notice of Edestone, turned quickly and looking sharply at him through his large eyegla.s.ses, said: ”Hear! Hear!”
The speaker acknowledged this and then proceeded. ”I am an American and I am proud of it. Not because of the great power and wealth of my country, nor of its hundred and odd millions of people made up of the nations of the earth, the sweepings of Europe, the overflow of Asia, and the bag of the slave-hunter of Africa, which centuries will amalgamate into a _cafe au lait_ conglomerate, but because I am proud of that small group of Anglo-Saxons who, under the influence of the free air of our great country, have developed such strength that they have up to this time put the stamp of England upon all who have come in contact with them. And while it is not my intention to sell my invention to England, I will give you my word that it shall never be used except for the benefit of the English-speaking people.”
He then raised his right hand as he added very slowly and distinctly: ”In your presence and that of Almighty G.o.d, I dedicate my life to my people, the Anglo-Saxons!”
This was received with a general murmur of applause, although there were a few dark-skinned gentlemen with curly beards and large noses who seemed uncomfortable. Edestone had caught that group of unemotional men and against their will had swept them along with him, and it was only with an effort that some of the younger men could refrain from giving him three cheers.
Underhill, who was smiling and gesticulating at Rockstone and Graves, applauded violently, while the King made no effort to hide his pleasure. There was something about this man that left in no one's mind any doubt of his sincerity, and on looking at him they felt that he was not the kind of a man who would so solemnly and in the presence of the King and all of the greatest men of England dedicate his life to a purpose if he did not know that therein lay a real gift to mankind. His sublime confidence was as convincing as his simplicity was rea.s.suring.
Seeing that the ice was broken he turned now to the serious business of the afternoon.
”Mr. President,” he commenced, ”now that I have shown you how I stand on international politics, I shall proceed----”
He was astonished to see the King put his head back and laugh, while the rest, made bold by the royal example, joined in heartily.
The King seeing that Edestone was innocent of any mistake and was blankly searching for an explanation of their mirth leaned forward and not altogether lightly said:
”The King of England accepts the Presidency of the Anglo-Saxon people!”
”I beg Your Majesty's pardon. I am sorry. I have forgotten myself so soon: what shall I do when I get into the intricacies of mathematics, physics, and mechanics to explain to you my invention?”
”Mr. Edestone,” said the King, ”we understand perfectly. Go on.”