"Yes, and it pleases me. A step nearer to India. That is so, but it is no business of mine. It may," with a light touch of his finger on his son's breast, "by and by be business of yours, when you are a statesman. About the dangers? What did you read?" "There were pestilent morasses to be bridged over or cut through, and there was great loss of life." "Quite correct; the mortality was serious; fortunately I employed native labor." "But it was human life, father, whether Russian or English." "Quite true again, Kingsley." "Holding views as I do, father," said Kingsley, "there appears to me something anomalous--that is putting it very mildly--in this last operation of yours." Mr. Manners smiled good-humoredly, and nodded his head in pleasant approval. "Go on, Kingsley." "For instance, the matter of Russia's nearer approach to India being facilitated by an Englishman. Is not that anomalous?" "No more anomalous than selling Russia a few millions of our best rifles and a few hundred millions of our best bullets." "Would you do that?" "I should like to get the contract." Kingsley shifted uneasily in his chair. "It is either right or wrong," he said. "Being at peace with Russia, Kingsley, it is right. Of course, it would be wrong if we were at war with the country." "But we provide it with rifles and bullets and railways beforehand." "Quite so--in the way of business. I like a conversation such as this, Kingsley, in which there is no need for anything to be settled. As to the future before you, it doesn't matter to me which side you take, so long as you become what I hope you will be. Men like myself, sprung from the ranks and making such fortunes as I have made, generally become Conservatives. I am neither one thing nor another, and shall not attempt to dictate to you. But into this question of bullets and rifles and railways let us import a little common-sense. If that sort of trading is wrong in times of peace, every country would have to cut itself aloof from every other country, and to live as if it were shut up in a box. I can't express myself as well as you, but I dare say you understand me." "You can always make people understand you, father," said Kingsley.