His flair met with no response.
“Damned if I can understand you, Sullivan,” Howarth burst out. “Here, for months, we’ve been trying to freeze Dilling to death, and keep the E. D. Co. from establishing a firmer foothold in Parliament, and now you turn right round and boost him into the Cabinet. Surely, one of us is crazy!”
“Only under stress, old man! Ordinarily, you are merely peculiar,” returned Sullivan, with a smile.
“Gilbert’s a much safer man,” Howarth went on, “to say nothing of any qualification I may possess.”
“Yes,” Turner cut in, “what the devil were you thinking of, Rufus? Didn’t Bill, here, deserve your support?”
“Neither of you would believe me if I were to tell you my reason for backing Dilling’s claims,” said the Hon. Member for Morroway, feeling that he must make some sort of explanation.
“Let’s have it, anyway,” said Howarth.
“Well—er—” confessed the other man, pulling on his gloves, “I acted according to my best judgment in the interest of the whole country.”
“Oh, hell!” remarked Mr. Turner, M.P.
“I’ve been asked to swallow many a big mouthful,” cried Howarth, “but this one chokes me.”