"Conditionally; depends on the method adopted."
Darwen blazed out into a sudden anger. "You're a fool, Carstairs. You and your methods. It doesn't matter a curse to you how you generate your electricity, does it? You want results, that's all! The correct methods are the most successful, the most economical." He sobered down again suddenly and smiled. "Look here, Carstairs, I want to make this job, yours and mine, worth more than it is. I like this town and I want to stay here, but I must get some bally pay."
"Hear, hear!"
"Well, I'm going to work the oracle. I'm going to know every man on the council, then I'm going to apply for a rise."
"I'm with you entirely."
"These things are easily worked. A man who's not handling his own money is very generous to his friends. Can you lie?"
"I'm an expert."
"Well, we shall want to lie sometimes. The age of truth has not yet arrived, and the man who sticks to the truth is before his time, consequently he's not appreciated, which means, he's not paid. I want pay. How's that?"
"Very good."
"I think so too. The mistake most people make is not knowing when to lie. To be a good liar requires more brains and just as much pluck as to tell the truth."