"Well?"
Tietjens said:
"It's splendid, sir, to see you putting the matter so strongly. It must be put strongly, or we're lost."
The general said:
"You think that?"
Tietjens said:
"I'm sure of it, sir. . . . But unless you are prepared to throw up your command and take to politics. . . ."
The general exclaimed:
"You're a most extraordinary fellow. . . . That was exactly what I was thinking about: this very minute."
"It's not so extraordinary," Tietjens said. "A really active general thinking as you do is very badly needed in the House. As your brother-in-law is to have a peerage whenever he asks for it, West Cleveland will be vacant at any moment, and with his influence and Lord Castlemaine's—your nephew's not got much land, but the name is immensely respected in the country districts. . . . And, of course, using Groby for your headquarters. . . ."