the door knob to open it.)

SWINDON (who has not budged). General Burgoyne.

BURGOYNE (returning). Sir?

SWINDON. It is my duty to tell you, sir, that I do not consider
the threats of a mob of rebellious tradesmen a sufficient reason
for our giving way.

BURGOYNE (imperturbable). Suppose I resign my command to you,
what will you do?

SWINDON. I will undertake to do what we have marched south from
Boston to do, and what General Howe has marched north from New
York to do: effect a junction at Albany and wipe out the rebel
army with our united forces.

BURGOYNE (enigmatically). And will you wipe out our enemies in
London, too?

SWINDON. In London! What enemies?

BURGOYNE (forcibly). Jobbery and snobbery, incompetence and Red
Tape. (He holds up the dispatch and adds, with despair in his
face and voice) I have just learnt, sir, that General Howe is
still in New York.

SWINDON (thunderstruck). Good God! He has disobeyed orders!