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, but--pardon me if I am direct--you 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.