will probably relieve both our feelings if we proceed to hang
this dissenter without further delay (he strikes the bell),
especially as I am debarred by my principles from the customary
military vent for my feelings. (The sergeant appears.) Bring your
man in.

SERGEANT. Yes, sir.

BURGOYNE. And mention to any officer you may meet that the court
cannot wait any longer for him.

SWINDON (keeping his temper with difficulty). The staff is
perfectly ready, sir. They have been waiting your convenience for
fully half an hour. PERFECTLY ready, sir.

BURGOYNE (blandly). So am I. (Several officers come in and take
their seats. One of them sits at the end of the table furthest
from the door, and acts throughout as clerk to the court,
making notes of the proceedings. The uniforms are those of
the 9th, 20th, 21st, 24th, 47th, 53rd, and 62nd British Infantry.
One officer is a Major General of the Royal Artillery. There
are also German officers of the Hessian Rifles, and of German
dragoon and Brunswicker regiments.) Oh, good morning, gentlemen.
Sorry to disturb you, I am sure. Very good of you to spare us a
few moments.

SWINDON. Will you preside, sir?

BURGOYNE (becoming additionally, polished, lofty, sarcastic
and urbane now that he is in public). No, sir: I feel my own