"In this bill," said his Majesty, "you are proposing to remodel a Constitution that has lasted in an unwritten form for five hundred years. I see in your proposed emendations that the Crown is frequently mentioned, but its powers are nowhere defined--unless that constantly recurring phrase 'on the advice of his ministers' is a definition which you wish to see indefinitely extended. Otherwise there is no open indication that the Crown's powers are affected. But the question of constitutional rights as between the Bishops and the Laity to-day may to-morrow be a question involving the Crown also; and if you now mean to impose limits on one branch of the legislature, you must extend your definitions to cover the whole ground. I require, gentlemen, if this matter is to be carried any further, that my own powers and prerogatives shall be as accurately defined and set as much on a working basis as those of your two Chambers." "'Working basis' is distinctly good," murmured Professor Teller, and looked admiringly at the King, whom the Prime Minister hastened to reassure. "Your Majesty's powers," said he, "are in no way touched. At no single point of our proposals is any limitation suggested." "Oh, I daresay not, I daresay not!" replied the King, "but though it isn't there in the text it is between the lines; yes, written with invisible ink which will be plain enough to read presently. What I am thinking about is the future. You may be perfectly right as to the wisdom of change; but we must have chapter and verse for it. We can't treat these matters any longer as an affair of honor. It used to be: now it isn't. Honor to-day is not a help but an impediment; I've found that out. To me it has lately become a question--a very grave question--whether I can in honor accept the advice of my ministers; and I do not intend to leave so disquieting a problem for my son to solve after me. There, now you have it!" The King panted a little as he spoke, like a dog that has begun to feel the pace of a motor-car too much for him. "I'm sorry that your Majesty has found any reason to complain," said the Prime Minister in a tone of grieved considerateness. "I am not complaining," answered the King, "I'm only saying. And what I say is, let us have chapter and verse for it from beginning to end. Define the powers of the Crown as they exist to-day--but as they won't exist to-morrow unless you do--and your proposals shall have my most sympathetic consideration; but not otherwise." "Surely the question your Majesty raises," interrupted the Prime Minister, "is an entirely separate one." "No doubt you would treat it so," replied the King. "Oh, yes--break your sticks one at a time as the wise man did in the fable!" A breath of protest blew round the Council board. What would he be accusing them of next?