Tietjens was chalk-white and stiffened. He stuttered:
"I can't take any credit. . . . I consider . . ."
Macmaster exclaimed:
"Tietjens . . . you . . ." he didn't know what he was going to say.
"Oh, you're too modest," Mr. Waterhouse overwhelmed Tietjens. "We know whom we've to thank . . ." His eyes drifted to Sandbach a little absently. Then his face lit up.
"Oh! Look here, Sandbach," he said. . . . "Come here, will you?" He walked a pace or two away, calling to one of his young men: "Oh, Sanderson, give the bobbie a drink. A good stiff one." Sandbach jerked himself awkwardly out of his chair and limped to the Minister.
Tietjens burst out:
"Me too modest! Me! . . . The swine. . . . The unspeakable swine!"
The General said:
"What's it all about, Chrissie? You probably are too modest."