I told my Father so . ' `` I know they do , '' he said ; `` but remember , after all , we are the people of the Old Stock , and our duty is to the Empire . '' ' `` To which Empire ? '' I asked . `` We split the Eagle before I was born . '' ' `` What thieves ' talk is that ? '' said my Father . He hated slang . ' `` Well , sir , '' I said , `` we 've one Emperor in Rome , and I do n't know how many Emperors the outlying Provinces have set up from time to time . Which am I to follow ? '' ' `` Gratian , '' said he . `` At least he 's a sportsman . '' ' `` He 's all that , '' I said . `` Has n't he turned himself into a raw-beef-eating Scythian ? '' ' `` Where did you hear of it ? '' said the Pater . ' `` At Aquae Solis , '' I said . It was perfectly true . This precious Emperor Gratian of ours had a bodyguard of fur-cloaked Scythians , and he was so crazy about them that he dressed like them . In Rome of all places in the world !
It was as bad as if my own XXXXX had painted himself blue ! '
Eagle Emperors Father Gratian Pater Rome Scythian Scythians Solis Stock