Shirley had been of the party, and somewhat the
heroine of it, too, for it was Dick who sat on his horse out in the
tanbark with the little whistle to his lips and manipulated the troop.
"Here's a confusion of tongues; I may need you to interpret," laughed
Dick, indicating a chair at his left; and when Armitage sat down he faced
Chauvenet across the round table.
With the first filling of glasses it was found that every one could speak
French, and the talk went forward spiritedly. The discussion of military
matters naturally occupied first place, and all were anxious to steer
clear of anything that might be offensive to the Spaniard, who had lost a
brother at San Juan. Claiborne thought it wisest to discuss nations that
were not represented at the table, and this made it very simple for all
to unite in rejecting the impertinent claims of Japan to be reckoned
among world powers, and to declare, for the benefit of the Russian
attache, that Slav and Saxon must ultimately contend for the earth's
dominion.
Then they fell to talking about individuals, chiefly men in the public
eye; and as the Austro-Hungarian embassy was in mourning and
unrepresented at the table, the new Emperor-king was discussed with
considerable frankness.
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