text:  At first hearing of it honest John Bull staggered back several paces with a face rueful and aghast; buttoned up his pockets and meditated violence even; but in a few moments albeit with a certain sulkiness he came back presently shook hands with the Minister and getting momentarily more satisfied of his honesty and of the necessity of the case only hoped that a little breathing-time might be given him and that the thing might be done as quietly and genteelly as possible! To be serious however