"An excellent idea."
"All right—here goes. A man contacted me and requests that you come to the top of Mount Ranier for a conference."
The President couldn't find any words. The silence was heavy.
"And I think you'd better go," the Press Secretary finished in a voice charged with sheer misery. He sat mute, wondering what was going on through The President's mind.
Finally the chief executive said, "Jim—I—really—"
The Press Secretary leaned forward, his whole being tense. "Mr. President. Please answer one question—honestly. Do you think I've lost my mind? Do you think I've suddenly gone crazy?"
The reply was in a quiet tone.
"No, Jim—I don't. I know you too well for that. I think you're saying something you have to say—doing a job you feel you have to do—even if it puts you in a position where you have to ask a question like that."
"Thank you."