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that this business affair should be brought up at a gathering so distinctly
social in its nature。 He was too tactful to let it be seen； but secretly he
felt that in approaching the matter in that fashion the Duke had erred in
taste。
〃But we need men like you in the House of Lords；〃 pleaded the Duke。
〃I cannot think of it；〃 said Cleggett。 And then； not wishing to hurt the
Englishman's feelings； he said kindly： 〃But I will promise you this： if I
should change my mind and decide to become a member of any
aristocracy at all； it will be the English aristocracy。〃
The Duke thanked Cleggett for the compliment； and Cleggett thought
he had heard the end of it。
He was； therefore； surprised； a few weeks later； as he was conversing
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； butpardon me if I am directyou 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
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THE CRUISE OF THE JASPER B。
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 Project Gutenberg Etext of The Cruise of the Jasper B。
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