"Good God!" cried the doctor, rightly appalled.
"Yes," continued the speaker, delighted to tease the doctor, "for instance, I made up my mind all the time I was here to stick in a low form. It was an easier life, and fun to boss kids like Edgar Doe and Rupert Ray. And I pulled all the strings of the famous Bramhall Riot, as Ray knows. And I just did sufficient work to pass into Sandhurst. And I shall be just satisfactory enough to get my commission. Then I shall do all in my power to provoke a European War, so that there will be a good chance of promotion—"
"There's a type of man," interrupted Radley, "who'd start a prairie fire, if it were the only way to light his pipe."
"Exactly. And I am he."
"Good God!" repeated Chappy.
"And, after peace is declared, I shall settle down to a comfortable life at the club."
"It's a relief," smiled Radley, "that you won't lead a revolution and usurp the throne."
"Too much trouble. I may go into Parliament, which is a comfortable job. On the Tory side, of course, because there you don't have to think."
"You've about fifty years of life," suggested Radley. "And don't you want to do anything constructive in that time?"
"Not in these trousers! I know that, if I were sincere and constructive in my politics, I should be a Socialist. It stands to reason that it can't be right for all the wealth to be in the pockets of the few, and for there to be a distinct and cocky governing class. But, as I want to amass wealth and enjoy the position of the ruling class, I shall be careful not to think out my politics, lest I develop a pernicious Socialism."