After some affectionate interchanges, and some account of my late illness, I said: "What is new ?" "The king and queen and many of the court do start even in this hour, to go to your valley to pay pious homage to the waters ye have restored, and cleanse themselves of sin, and see the place where the infernal spirit spouted true hell-flames to the clouds -- an ye listen sharply ye may hear me wink and hear me likewise smile a smile, sith 'twas I that made selection of those flames from out our stock and sent them by your order." "Does the king know the way to this place ?" "The king ?--no, nor to any other in his realms, mayhap; but the lads that holp you with your miracle will be his guide and lead the way, and appoint the places for rests at noons and sleeps at night." "This will bring them here--when ?" "Mid-afternoon, or later, the third day." "Anything else in the way of news ?" "The king hath begun the raising of the standing army ye suggested to him; one regiment is complete and officered." "The mischief! I wanted a main hand in that myself.

There is only one body of men in the kingdom that are fitted to officer a regular army." "Yes--and now ye will marvel to know there's not so much as one West Pointer in that regiment." "What are you talking about?
Are you in earnest ?" "It is truly as I have said." "Why, this makes me uneasy.

Who were chosen, and what was the method?
Competitive examination ?" "Indeed, I know naught of the method.

I but know this--these officers be all of noble family, and are born--what is it you call it ?--chuckleheads." "There's something wrong, Clarence." "Comfort yourself, then; for two candidates for a lieutenancy do travel hence with the king--young nobles both--and if you but wait where you are you will hear them questioned." "That is news to the purpose.

I will get one West Pointer in, anyway.