After all, I should think you are able to free yourself. You are your own master, it seems to me.

I am a servant of two masters, Stephen said, an English and an Italian.

Italian? Haines said.

A crazy queen, old and jealous. Kneel down before me.

And a third, Stephen said, there is who wants me for odd jobs.

Italian? Haines said again. What do you mean?

The imperial British state, Stephen answered, his colour rising, and the holy Roman catholic and apostolic church.

Haines detached from his underlip some fibres of tobacco before he spoke.

I can quite understand that, he said calmly.