'Can't you go instead, old fellow ?' 'Not if I know it,' I said with vigour.

'I had rather face a wounded elephant with a shot-gun.

Take care of your own business, my boy.

If you will be so fascinating you must take the consequences.
I would not be in your place for an empire.' 'You remind me of when I was going to be flogged at school and the other boys came to console me,' he said gloomily.

'What right has this Queen to command my attendance, I should like to know?
I won't go.' 'But you must; you are one of her officers and bound to obey her, and she knows it.