“Well, that simply does not make sense,” Picot flusters back at me, a little louder than a seasoned diplomat ought to speak.

He may be seasoned, but he’s not cultured.

“It makes sense to His Majesty’s Government,” I retort.

This explanation should suffice for any man.

“You have negotiated with the Arabs for land that is rightly owed to the French Republic.” Picot continues in the same tone.

We are in an alliance, why are we arguing over land?