Lord Ormont continued to be a subject of discussion from time to time, for he was a name in the newspapers; and Mr. Shalders had been worked by Matey Weyburn into a state of raw antagonism at the mention of the gallant General; he could not avoid sitting in judgement on him.
According to Mr. Shalders, the opinion of all thoughtful people in England was with John Company and the better part of the Press to condemn Lord Ormont in his quarrel with the Commissioner of one of the Indian provinces, who had the support of the Governor of his Presidency and of the Viceroy; the latter not unreservedly, yet ostensibly inclined to condemn a too prompt military hand. The Gordian knot of a difficulty cut is agreeable in the contemplation of an official chief hesitating to use the sword and benefiting by having it done for him. Lord Ormont certainly cut the knot.
Mr. Shalders was cornered by the boys, coming at him one after another without a stop, vowing it was the exercise of a military judgement upon a military question at a period of urgency, which had brought about the quarrel with the Commissioner and the reproof of the Governor. He betrayed the man completely cornered by generalizing. He said--
“We are a civilian people; we pride ourselves on having civilian methods.”
“How can that be if we have won India with guns and swords?”
“But that splendid jewel for England's tiara won,” said he (and he might as well have said crown), “we are bound to sheathe the sword and govern by the Book of the Law.”
“But if they won't have the Book of the Law!”
“Not if we knock nothing harder than the Book of the Law upon their skulls.”
“Happily for the country, England's councils are not directed by boys!”
“Ah, but we're speaking of India, Mr. Shalders.”
“You are presuming to speak of an act of insubordination committed by a military officer under civilian command.”
“What if we find an influential prince engaged in conspiracy?”
“No; we mount and ride straight away into his territory, spot the treason, deport him, and rule in his place!”
It was all very well for Mr. Shalders to say he talked to boys; he was cornered again, as his shrug confessed.
The boys asked among themselves whether he would have taken the same view if his Murat had done it!