16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
one, at any time, would have attempted to
make game of him.
Stephen's mind wandered away on the subject
of authority, its nature, origin, base or
bases: authority whether innate or acquired,
and if acquired then by what means? Authority
as opposed to mere power, how exactly to be
defined? Its etymology : its relation to auctor.
From these thoughts he was aroused by an
expectant silence opposite him, and looking
up he saw Dutourd and Vidal looking at him
across the table, their forks poised: reaching
back in his mind he caught the echo of a
question: 'What do you think of democracy?'
'The gentleman was asking what you thought
of democracy, sir,' said Vidal, smiling.
'Alas I cannot tell you, sir,' said Stephen, returning
the smile. 'For although it would not
be proper to call this barque or vessel a King's