CHAPTER VIII

Whilst Tallente, rejuvenated, and with a wonderful sense of well-being at the back of his mind, was on his feet in the House of Commons on the following afternoon, leading an unexpected attack against the unfortunate Government, Dartrey sat at tea in Nora's study. Nora, who had had a very busy day, was leaning back in her chair, well content though a little fatigued. Dartrey, who had forgotten his lunch in the stress of work, was devoting himself to the muffins.

"While I think of it," he said, "let me thank you for playing hostess so charmingly the other night."

She made him a little bow.

"Your dinner party was a great success."

"Was it?" he murmured, a little doubtfully. "I am not quite so sure. I can't seem to get at Tallente, somehow."

"He is doing his work well, isn't he?"

"The mechanical side of it is most satisfactory," Dartrey confessed. "He is the most perfect Parliamentary machine that was ever evolved."

"Surely that is exactly what you want? You were always complaining that there was no one to bring the stragglers into line."

"For the present," Dartrey admitted, "Tallente is doing excellently. I wish, though, that I could see a little farther into the future."

"Tell me exactly what fault you find with him?" Nora persisted.

"He lacks enthusiasm already. He makes none of the mistakes which are coincident with genius and he is a little intolerant. He takes no trouble to adapt himself to varying views, he has a fine, broad outlook, but no man can see into every corner of the earth, and what is outside his outlook does not exist."

Answer the following questions:
1. Who forgot his lunch?
2. What he was eating instead?
3. Who is the hostess?
4. Is she exhausted?
5. why?
6. Who seemed to lack motivation?
7. Who is he?
8. Is he a tolerant person?
9. Does he adapt to other's views?
10. Does is appear that he has a tunnel vision?
11. Is there anything good about him?
12. Who is kind of appreciative to him?
13. Did Dartery think the good things in him could be temporary?
14. Is he looking in the future to come up with actual assessment of him?
15. Who was in the House of Commons next afternoon?
16. Was he energized prior to that?
17. Who did he talk against in the House?
18. Where was Dartery sitting?
19. Was he drinking something?
20. Who did he thank?
1. Dartrey
2. muffins
3. Nora
4. a little
5. had a very busy day
6. Tallente
7. member of the Parliment
8. no
9. No
10. Yes
11. The mechanical side
12. Dartrey
13. yes
14. He wishes he could
15. Tallente
16. no
17. the unfortunate Government
18. in Nora's study
19. tea
20. Nora