Lord Burnley.

That would be understood by our neighbour nation to be midnight in the country of dispatch, wouldn't it?

Sir Robert.
Certainly.

Lord Burnley.
Have you remembered the difference in time?

Sir Robert.
Eh?

Lord Burnley.
The difference of an hour between Greenwich and mid-European time?

Sir Robert.
[Embarrassed.] No, I confess, I had not remembered that.

Lord Burnley.
Twelve o'clock in mid-Europe will be eleven in London. Therefore————

Sir Robert.
Therefore there is less than a quarter of an hour left.

Lord Burnley.
That is so.

Sir Robert.
[Sinking into a seat.] And if the reply does not come within a quarter of an hour the absence of an answer will be a declaration of war.

[A strained and painful silence for a moment.