'But doesn't Sir Rupert see that, so far as I understand things at all, I should be in the party opposed to him?'
'Yes, he sees that; but he doesn't seem to mind. He thinks you would find a field in English politics; and he says the life of the House of Commons is the life to which the ambition of every true Englishman ought to turn—and, you know—all that sort of thing.'
'And does he think that I have forgotten Gloria?'
'No; but he has a theory about all South American States. He thinks they are all rotten, and that sort of thing. He insists that you are thrown away on Gloria.'
'Fancy a man being thrown away upon a country,' the Dictator said, with a smile. 'I have often heard and read of a country being thrown away upon a man, but never yet of a man being thrown away upon a country. I should not have wondered at such an opinion from an ordinary Englishman, who has no idea of a place the size of Gloria, where we could stow away England, France, and Germany in a little unnoticed corner. But Sir Rupert—who has been there! Give us out the cigars, Hamilton—and ring for some drinks.'
Hamilton brought out the cigars, and rang the bell.
'Well—anyhow—I have told you,' he said hesitatingly.
'So you have, boy, with your usual indomitable honesty. For I know what you think about all this.'
'Of course you do.'
'You don't want to give up Gloria?'