You won't mind listening to one word, will you?"
"Not if it's only one."
"It is literally and simply one. Duty."
"Duty!" said the Major, sitting up.
"Yes, duty. You're an Englishman, Major, at least by descent, and you
know that there's one appeal which is never made in vain to Englishmen,
and that is the appeal to duty. Wasn't that the meaning of the signal
Nelson hoisted just before he asked Hardy to kiss him! And what did
Hardy do? Kissed him at once, though he can't possibly have liked it."
"I think you've got the story wrong somewhere, J. J. As well as I
recollect--"
"I may be inaccurate in some of the details," said Meldon, "but the
broad principle is as I state it; and I put it to you now, Major,
before I say good-night, will you or will you not respond to the
appeal? Remember Trafalgar and the old _Victory_. You're a military
man, of course, but you must have some respect for Nelson."
"I have. But I don't see how duty comes in in this case. Oh, J. J.!
I wish you'd go to bed and stop talking."
"I will. I want to. I'm absolutely dropping off to sleep, but I can't
go till I've explained to you where your duty lies.
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