One was--well, perhaps you might call it curiosity; the other because, if you are an Englishman, Mr.Foley and I are going to make a strong and I hope successful appeal to your patriotism." "I am afraid," Maraton replied, "that you will be appealing to a sentiment of which I am ignorant." "Do you mean," Mr.Foley asked, "that you have no impulse of affection for your own country ?" "For my country as she exists at present, none at all," Maraton answered.

"That is where I am afraid we shall find this conference so unsatisfactory.

I am not subject to any of the ordinary convictions of life." "That certainly makes the task of arguing with you a little difficult," Mr.Foley admitted.

"We had hoped that the vision of this country overrun by a triumphant enemy, our towns and our pleasant places in the hands of an alien race, our women subject to insults from them, our men treated with scorn--we had an idea that the vision of these things might count with you for something." "For nothing at all," Maraton replied.

"I am not sure that a successful invasion of this country would not be one of the best medicines she could possibly have." "Are you serious, sir ?" Lord Armley asked grimly.
"Absolutely," Maraton answered, without a second's hesitation.