Chapter 2
November 14, 2023 at 1:13 PM
II
[after the Permanent Secretaries' meeting]
Humphrey: (hesitantly) Arnold… May I ask you a hypothetical question? Arnold: Well, of course, my dear chap. I’m all ears. Humphrey: Imagine this: a hypothetical Minister has an inappropriate interest in his Permanent Secretary- Arnold: (corrects) in his *hypothetical* Permanent Secretary. Humphrey: (catching himself) Hypothetical! Exactly! Thank you, Arnold… Who, mind you, does not encourage this interest in the least! What should this *hypothetical* Permanent Secretary do in these *hypothetical* circumstances? Hypothetically. (looks pleadingly at Sir Arnold, who is listening closely) Arnold: Hmmm… (after an impressive pause, wisely) I think… in this case… he should have come to a colleague who is more experienced in dealing with the politicians for advice… Best of all, to the Cabinet Secretary, that is, to me. Humphrey: (visibly frowning) I see… That’s pretty much what I have thought. Arnold: (kindly) Anything else, Humpy? Humphrey: N-no, I guess… Thank you… Arnold. Arnold: (graciously) You’re welcome. I’m always happy to help. (Humphrey leaves with a deeply thoughtful look on his face)
