"I recognize the necessity. If the general sees it in that way. I saw it in another way myself." His voice was intensely weary. "No doubt," he said, "the general knows best!"
Levin's face exhibited real enthusiasm. He said:
"You decent fellow! You awfully decent fellow! We're all in the same boat. . . . Now, will you tell me? For him. Was O'Hara drunk last night or wasn't he?"
Tietjens said:
"I think he was not drunk when he burst into the room with Major Perowne. . . . I've been thinking about it! I think he became drunk. . . . When I first requested and then ordered him to leave the room he leant against the doorpost. ... He was certainly then—in disorder! . . . I then told him that I should order him under arrest, if he didn't go. . . ."
Levin said:
"Mm! Mm! Mm!"
Tietjens said:
"It was my obvious duty. . . . I assure you that I was perfectly collected. . . . I beg to assure you that I was perfectly collected. . . ."
Levin said: "I am not questioning the correctness. . . . But . . . we are all one family. . . . I admit the atrocious . . . the unbearable nature. . . . But you understand that O'Hara had the right to enter your room. . . . As P.M.! . . ."