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.And there are others who wouldn't believe it if you produced document proof and swore out affidavits.'Reflectively Margaret said, 'We're always so quick to criticize American politics.''I know,' he agreed.'It's quite illogical, of course, because in proportion we have as much patronage and graft as the Americans, perhaps even more.It's just that most times we're a good deal more discreet and every now and then we offer up a public sacrifice of somebody who became too greedy.'The seat-belt sign above their heads had gone out.James Howden unsnapped his own belt and reached across to help Margaret release hers.'Of course, my dear,' he said, 'you must realize that one of our greatest national assets is our sense of self-righteousness.It's something we inherited from the British.You remember Shaw? - "There is nothing so bad or so good that you will not find an Englishman doing it; but you will never find an Englishman in the wrong." That kind of conviction helps the national conscience quite a lot.''Sometimes,' Margaret said, 'you sound positively gleeful about the things which are wrong.'Her husband paused, considering.'I don't mean it to seem that way.It's just that when we're alone I try to drop pretences.' He smiled faintly.'There aren't many places left nowadays where I'm not on show.''I'm sorry.' There was concern in Margaret's voice.'I shouldn't have said that.''No! I wouldn't want either of us to feel there was something we couldn't say to each other, no matter what it was.' Fleetingly he thought of Harvey Warrender and the deal between them.Why had he never told Margaret? Perhaps he would someday.Now he continued, 'A good deal of what I know about politics saddens me.It always has.But then I get to thinking of our mortality and human weakness, remembering there has never been power with purity - anywhere.If you want to be pure, you must stand alone.If you seek to do positive things, achieve something, leave the world a mite better than you found it, then you must choose power and throw some of your purity away.There's no other choice.' He went on thoughtfully, 'It's as if we're all together in a strong-flowing river; and though you'd like to, you can't change its course suddenly.You can only go along, and try to ease it slowly in one direction or the other.'A white intercom telephone near the Prime Minister's seat pinged musically and he answered it.The aircraft captain's voice announced, 'This is Galbraith, sir.''Yes, Wing Commander?' Galbraith, a veteran pilot with a reputation for solidity, was usually in command on VIP missions out of Ottawa.He had flown the Howdens many times before.'We're at cruising height, twenty thousand, and estimating Washington in one hour ten minutes.Weather there is sunny and clear, temperature sixty-five.''That's good news,' Howden said.'It'll be a taste of summer.' He told Margaret about the Washington weather, then said into the phone, 'I understand there'll be a luncheon at the embassy tomorrow.Wing Commander.We shall expect to see you.''Thank you, sir.'James Howden replaced the telephone.While he had been speaking the RCAF steward had reappeared, this time with coffee trays and sandwiches.There was also a single glass of grape juice.Margaret pointed to it.'If you really like that so much, I'll order some at home.'He waited until the steward had gone, then lowered his voice.'I'm beginning to loathe the stuff.I once said I liked it and word seems to have passed around.Now I understand why Disraeli hated primroses.''But I always thought he loved primroses,' Margaret said.'Weren't they his favourite flower?'Her husband shook his head emphatically.'Disraeli said so just on one occasion, out of politeness to Queen Victoria, who had sent him some.But afterwards, people showered primroses on him until the mere sight of one could drive him to distraction.So you see, political myths die hard.' Smiling, he took the grape juice, opened a door of the rear of the cabin and poured it down the toilet.Margaret said thoughtfully, 'You know, I sometimes think you're rather like Disraeli, though a little fiercer perhaps.' She smiled.'At least you have the nose for it.''Yes,' he agreed, 'and this old craggy face of mine has been a trademark.' He fondled his eagle-beak nose, then said re-miniscently, 'It used to surprise me when people said I appeared fierce, but after a while, when I learned to switch it on and off, it became quite useful.''This is nice,' Margaret said, 'being by ourselves for a while.How long do we have before Washington?'He grimaced.'No longer than this, I'm afraid.I have to talk to Nesbitson before we land.''Do you really, Jamie?' It was more an entreaty than a question.He said regretfully, 'I'm sorry, my dear,'Margaret sighed.'I thought it was too good to last.Well, I'll lie down so you can be private.' She got up, gathering her bag and hat.At the doorway of the little bedroom she turned.'Are you going to bully him?''Probably not - unless I have to.''I hope you don't,' Margaret said seriously.'He's such a sad old man.I always think he should be in a wheel chair with a blanket, and another old soldier pushing.'The Prime Minister smiled broadly.'All retired generals should be like that.Unfortunately they either want to write books or get into politics.'When Margaret had gone he buzzed for the steward and sent a courteous message asking General Nesbitson to join him.Chapter 3'You're looking extremely fit, Adrian,' James Howden said.From the depths of the soft chair which Margaret had vacated earlier, his pink pudgy hands nursing a scotch and soda, Adrian Nesbitson nodded in pleased agreement.'I've been feeling first-class these past few days.Prime Minister.Seem to have thrown off that damned catarrh at last.''I'm delighted to hear it.I think you were overdoing things for a while.In fact we all were.It made us impatient with each other.' Howden studied his Defence Minister carefully.The old man really did look healthier, distinguished even, despite increasing baldness and the trace of resemblance to Mr Five-by-Five.The thick white moustache helped; carefully trimmed, it added an aura of dignity to the square-jawed face which still retained a hint of soldierly authority.Perhaps, Howden thought, the course he had been considering might work.But he remembered Brian Richardson's warning: 'Go easy on the bargaining; the old boy has a reputation for straightness.''Impatient or not,' Nesbitson said, 'I still can't share your views on this Act of Union idea.I'm sure we can get what we want from the Yanks without giving so much away.'James Howden willed himself to calmness, ignoring, in his mind, a ground swell of anger and frustration.Nothing, he knew, would be achieved by loss of control, by shouting aloud as impulse urged: 'For God's sake wake up! Wake up and acknowledge the obvious: that it's desperately late and there isn't time for ancient weary nostrums.' Instead he said placatingly, 'I'd like you to do something for me, Adrian, if you will [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]