said i: “how do you manage with politics?”

said hammond, smiling: “i am glad that it is of me that you ask that question; i do believe that anybody else would make you explain yourself, or try to do so, till you were sickened of asking questions. indeed, i believe i am the only man in england who would know what you mean; and since i know, i will answer your question briefly by saying that we are very well off as to politics — because we have none. if ever you make a book out of this conversation, put this in a chapter by itself, after the model of old horrebow’s snakes in iceland.”

“i will,” said i.