e said. "I have not approved of their conduct. I am
unconnected with those men save through personal friendships. My zeal
for the public welfare is my only excuse for asking you to open your
mind."

Lady Howe arose and offered to withdraw.

"Your Ladyship, why not honor us with your presence?" Franklin asked.
"For my part I can see no reason for making a secret of a business of
this nature. As to His Lordship's mention of my mistreatment, that
done my country is so much greater I dismiss all thought of the other.
From the King's speech I judge that no accommodation can be expected."

"The plan is now to send a commission to the colonies, as you have
urged," said His Lordship.

Then said Lady Howe: "I wish, my brother Franklin, that you were to be
sent thither. I should like that much better than General Howe's going
to command the army there."

A rather tense moment followed. Franklin broke its silence by saying
in a gentle tone:

"I think, madame, they should provide the General with more honorable
employment. I beg that your Ladyship will not misjudge me. I am not
capable of taking an office from this government while it is acting
with so much hostility toward my country."

"The ministers have the opinion that you can compose the situation if
you will," Lord Howe declared. "Many of us have unbounded faith in
your ability. I would not think of trying to influence your judgment
by a selfish motive, but certainly you may, with reason, expect any
reward which it is in the power of the government to bestow."

Then came an answer which should live in history, as one of the great
credits of human nature, and all men, especially those of English
blood, should feel a certain pride in it. The answer was:

"Your Lordship, I am not looking for rewards, but only for justice."

"Let us try to agree as to what is the justice of the matter," Howe
answered. "Will you not draft a plan on which you would be willing to
cooperate?"

"That I will be glad to do."

Persisting in his misjudgment, Howe suggested:

"As you have friends here and constituents in America to keep well
with, perhaps it would better not be in your handwriting. Send it to
Lady Howe and she will copy it and return the original."

Then said the sturdy old Yankee: "I desire, my friends, that there
shall be no secrecy about it."

Lord and Lady Howe showed signs of great disappointment as he bade them
good night and begged to be sent to his