But I do want
to talk candidly to you about our political aspirations. Mr. Fowler, I
don't want to go to the White House! I have a number of reasons that I
don't think would interest you particularly. But I want to go back to
the Senate when I finish here. Fowler, if you were not so jealous and
so personal in your ambitions I would be glad to see you get the party
nomination."
Fowler's fine, tired face expressed incredulity mingled with
bewilderment.
Enoch went on, "You and I are talking frankly as men rarely talk and as
we probably never shall again. So perhaps you will forgive me if I
make some personal comments. It seems to me that the only permanent
satisfaction a man gets out of public life is the feeling that he has
added in greater or less degree to the sum total of his country's
progress and stability. I think your weakness is that you place
yourself first and your country second."
"No!" said Fowler, eagerly. "You don't understand me, Huntingdon! My
own aim in life is to make my service to my country compensate for the
selfishness and foolishness of my youth. My methods may, as you say,
have been open to misinterpretation. But God knows my impulses have
been disinterested. And you must realize now, Huntingdon, that it has
been the business of certain people to see that you and I misunderstand
each other.
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