Читать книгу An Affair of State онлайн

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"He was a clerk," Jeff said.

"Oh," said Keller, and the single syllable was toned with surprise and disappointment, as if he had been examining a handsome ring, and then been told the stone was imitation.

"There was another reason I wanted to get in the Foreign Service," Jeff said. He knew he had to get it out, because it was working inside him.

"Yes?" Dannenberg inquired.

"I don't want to see any more wars. I want to do what I can to prevent another war." He saw that they were all eyeing him now with fresh interest, as if he had told them some private thing about himself that was curious, such as his mother was an Indian, or that his heart was on his right side. "I suppose that's bombastic," he added, sensing the need of an explanation. "I suppose it's bombastic to think that I can do anything to help keep the peace, being just one little guy. But that's the way I feel, and I know that in the Foreign Service I'd have more opportunity to do what I want to do than anywhere else."

"Well, now, I think that's very commendable," said Matson. "Very commendable indeed."