human
Do you mind talking shop, Greening? he asked.
gpt
I've been down to your place twice this morning, but couldn't find you.
human
Go ahead, the other invited.
gpt
I had to go round to Downing Street and then on to see the chief. Sorry you had a fruitless journey.
human
I will be quite frank with you, Tallente went on.
gpt
What I am going to suggest to you is pure guesswork. A political opponent, if I can dignify the fellow with such a term, has in his possession an article of mine which I wrote some years ago, during the war. I have been given to understand that he means to obtain publication of it for the purpose of undermining my position with the Labour Party. Has he brought it to you?
human
He has,
gpt
Are you going to use it?
human
We are. The article is in type now. It won't be out for a day or two. When it does, we look upon it as the biggest political scoop of this decade.
gpt
I protest to you formally, Tallente said,
human
Won't do, Tallente, he replied.
gpt
We have had a meeting and decided to publish. The best I can do for you is to promise that we will publish unabridged any comments you may have to make upon the matter, on the following day.
human
I have always understood that there is such a thing as a journalistic conscience, Tallente persisted.
gpt
Can you tell me what possible justification you can find for making use of stolen material?
human
The journalistic conscience is permitted some latitude in these matters, Greening answered drily.
gpt
We are not publishing for the sake of any pecuniary benefit or even for the kudos of a scoop. We are publishing because we want to do our best to drive you out from amongst the Democrats.
human
Did Horlock send Miller to you?
gpt
I cannot answer that sort of question. I will say as much as this in our justification. We stand for sane politics and your defection from the ranks of sane politicians has been very seriously felt. We look upon this opportunity of weakening your present position with the Democratic Party as a matter of political necessity. Personally, I am very sorry, Tallente, to do an unfriendly action, but I can only say, like the school-master before he canes a refractory pupil, that it is for your own good.
human
I should prefer to remain the arbiter of my own destiny, Tallente observed drily.
gpt
I suppose you fully understand that that noxious person, Miller, paid my defaulting secretary five thousand pounds for that manuscript?
human
My dear fellow, if your pocket had been picked in the street of that manuscript and it had been brought to us, we should still have used it,
gpt
Then I suppose there is nothing more to be said,
human
Nothing! Sorry, Tallente, but the chief is absolutely firm. He looks upon you as the monkey pulling the chestnuts out of the fire for the Labour Party and he has made up his mind to singe your paws.
gpt
The Democrats will rule this country before many years have passed, Tallente said earnestly,
human
Orders are orders, he declared,
gpt
Can I have a proof of the article?
human
By all means, was the prompt reply.
gpt
Shall I send it to your rooms or here?
human
Send it direct to Stephen Dartrey at the House of Commons.
gpt
I see, Greening murmured thoughtfully,
human
It isn't decided yet, he said, as they made their way towards the luncheon room,
gpt
We have achieved a triumph, Jane declared, when the last of the servants had disappeared and the little party of four were left to their own devices.
human
We have sat through the whole of dinner and not once mentioned politics.
gpt
You made us forget them,
human
A left-handed compliment, Jane laughed.
gpt
You should pay your tribute to my cook. Mr. Dartrey, I have told you all about my farms and your wife has explained all that I could not understand of her last article in the National. Now I am going to seek for further enlightenment. Tell my why the publication of an article written years ago is likely to affect Mr. Tallente's present position so much?
human
Because, Dartrey explained,
gpt
Have you read the article?
human
This evening, just before I came,
gpt
I can understand, Tallente intervened,
human
It will be a difficult task, Tallente. The spirit has gone. People have forgotten already the danger which we so narrowly escaped--forgotten before the grass has grown on the graves of our saviours.
gpt
Still, you wouldn't have Mr. Tallente give in without a struggle?
human
I hope that Tallente will fight, Dartrey replied,
gpt
So far as your personal view is concerned, Tallente asked,
human
I could thrive without him,
gpt
Then you shall, Tallente asserted.
human
We'll show the world what his local trades unionism stands for. He has belittled the whole principle of cooperation. He twangs all the time one brazen chord instead of seeking to give expression to the clear voices of the millions. Miller would impoverish the country with his accursed limited production, his threatened strikes, his parochial outlook. Englishmen are brimful of common sense, Dartrey, if you know where to dig for it. We'll materialise your own dream. We'll bring the principles of socialism into our human and daily life and those octopus trades unions shall feel the knife.
gpt
Why aren't you oftener enthusiastic?
human
I was getting past enthusiasms, he said;
gpt
I was dropping into the dry-as-dust school--the argumentative, logical, cold, ineffectual school. The last few months have changed that. I feel young again. If Dartrey will give me a free hand, I'll deliver up to him Miller's bones.