"It's not so extraordinary," Tietjens said. "A really active general thinking as you do is very badly needed in the House. As your brother-in-law is to have a peerage whenever he asks for it, West Cleveland will be vacant at any moment, and with his influence and Lord Castlemaine's--your nephew's not got much land, but the name is immensely respected in the country districts. . . . And, of course, using Groby for your headquarters. . . ." The general said: "That's pretty well botched, isn't it?" Tietjens said without moving a muscle: "Why, no, sir. Sylvia is to have Groby and you would naturally make it your headquarters. . . . You've still got your hunters there. . . ." The general said: "Sylvia is really to have Groby. . . . Good God!" Tietjens said: "So it was no great conjuring trick, sir, to see that you might not mind. . . ." The general said: "Upon my soul, I'd as soon give up my chance of heaven . . . no, not heaven, but India, as give up Groby." "You've got," Tietjens said, "an admirable chance of India. . . . The point is: which way? If they give you the sixteenth section. . . ." "I hate," the general said, "to think of waiting for poor Puffles' shoes. I was at Sandhurst with him. . . ." "It's a question, sir," Tietjens said, "of which is the best way. For the country and yourself. I suppose if one were a general one would like to have commanded an army on the Western front. . . ." The general said: "I don't know. . . . It's the logical end of a career. . . . But I don't feel that my career is ending. . . . I'm as sound as a roach. And in ten years' time what difference will it make?" "One would like," Tietjens said, "to see you doing it. . . ." The general said: "No one will know whether I commanded a fighting army or this damned Whiteley's outfitting store. . . ." Tietjens said: "I know that, sir. . . . But the sixteenth section will desperately need a good man if General Perry is sent home. And particularly a general who has the confidence of all ranks. . . . It will be a wonderful position. You will have every man that's now on the Western front at your back after the war. It's a certain peerage. . . . It's certainly a sounder proposition than that of a free-lance--which is what you'd be--in the House of Commons." The general said: "Then what am I to do with my letter? It's a damn good letter. I don't like wasting letters." Tietjens said: "You want it to show through that you back the single command for all you are worth, yet you don't want them to put their finger on your definitely saying so yourself?" The general said: