"I couldn't think of it.

I am quite democratic, you know." The second time the King sent one of the Royal Dukes to see Cleggett.
They were at a house party in Wales, and Cleggett was a little disturbed 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.