"I feel that we shall get along nicely together," continued John. "If
you are chumps enough to turn out of your comfortable beds at this time
of the morning simply to see me, you can't be very hard to please. We
shall hit it off fine."

_Mr. Crump:_ "His Highness hopes and believes that he will always
continue to command the affection of his people."

"I--" John paused. "That's the lot," he said. "The flow of inspiration
has ceased. The magic fire has gone out. Break it to 'em, Crump. For
me, breakfast."

During the early portion of the ride Mr. Scobell was silent and
thoughtful. John's speech had impressed him neither as oratory nor as
an index to his frame of mind. He had not interrupted him, because he
knew that none of those present could understand what was being said,
and that Mr. Crump was to be relied on as an editor. But he had not
enjoyed it. He did not take the people of Mervo seriously himself, but
in the Prince such an attitude struck him as unbecoming. Then he
cheered up. After all, John had given evidence of having a certain
amount of what he would have called "get-up" in him. For the purposes
for which he needed him, a tendency to make light of things was not
amiss. It was essentially as a performing prince that he had engaged
John. He wanted him to do unusual things, which would make people
talk--aeroplaning was one that occurred to him. Perhaps a prince who
took a serious view of his position would try to raise the people's
minds and start reforms and generally be a nuisance. John could, at any
rate, be relied upon not to do that.

His face cleared.