"
"That's nonsense," said the Colonel shortly.
"And the other is war."
We were silent for a little, and then the Colonel poured himself out a
whisky.
"All the same," he said, as he went back to his seat, "you haven't
answered my question."
"What was that, sir?"
"What you would do in the case I mentioned. Seriously."
"Oh! Well, I stick to my first answer. I would do nothing--except, of
course, ask for an explanation and an apology. If you can apologize
for that sort of thing."
"And if they were refused?"
"Have no more official relations with Spain."
"That's all you would do?"
"Yes."
"And you think that that is consistent with the honour of a great
nation like England?"
"Perfectly."
"Oh! Well, I don't."
An indignant silence followed.
"May I ask you a question now, sir?" I said at last.
"Well?"
"Suppose this time England begins. Suppose we murder all the Spanish
women in London first. What are you going to do--as Spanish Premier?"
"Er--I don't quite----"
"Are you going to order the Spanish Fleet to sail for the mouth of
the Thames, and hurl itself upon the British fleet?"
"Of course not, She has no fleet.
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