human
Have you anything to declare? was a second time uttered--now by a person less gold-laced. Then the official continued,
gpt
Here, open it!
human
I understand you now. I have no cigars--I do not smoke. I have no spirits--I am what you call a teatotaller. I have no lace--I am a widower.
gpt
Open it!
human
But I am innocent of concealing anything! Believe me, there is nothing to declare! I have some photographic plates--to open them is ruin! I prize my shirts--they are heirlooms--if they are roughly handled I can never wear them again.
gpt
If you will not open it, replied the official, unmoved by his eloquent appeal,
human
But this is barbarous--cruel, continued the foreigner, answering with excitement.
gpt
I have been to Constantinople with its mosques, and the Turks have treated me with greater consideration. I have seen the glories of Rome with its Forum, the splendours of Petersburg with its fortress prison, the treasures of Madrid with its art gallery--and everywhere--everywhere I have been treated with greater kindness, greater charity than here! And yet you say this is the land of the brave and the free!
human
We say nothing of the sort, retorted the official;