The German considered the plan. It was a good one, he could see its advantages. He would be trading, of course, with a nation for which he had no great affection, but, even so, Herr Brumenhein apparently thought well of it.
“Oh, yes, he thought it a capital idea,” said Roland. “He’s most anxious to see trade alliance between Great Britain and Germany. He’s so afraid there may be ill-feeling. I told him that that was, of course, absurd, but still----”
“Yes, yes,” said Herr Haupsehr, “I see, of course; but there are difficulties, grave difficulties.”
Roland could see that he was beginning to waver, that he was anxious to postpone his decision, and that would, of course, be fatal. Roland had learned early that when a man says to you: “Look here, I can’t decide now, but I’ll write and let you know in a day or two,” he has already decided against you. And so Roland played Herr Brumenhein for all he was worth. Having discovered that Herr Haupsehr had never met the great man, Roland felt himself at liberty to tell his story as amply as possible.
“But you should meet him,” he said; “a most charming companion. He comes over and stays with us nearly every summer.”
“Oh, yes, nearly always. And he’s the coming man, of course. Not a doubt of it. Griegenbach’s day is done.”
Herr Haupsehr affected surprise. He respected every minister till he was out of office.
“Oh, yes, not a doubt of it. He thinks he’s more important than his job--a big mistake. A minister’s post is more important than the man who fills it.”
With that Herr Haupsehr agreed. Himself had revered authority all his life. This young man showed considerable sagacity. The job was bigger, always bigger, than the man.
“Yes, he’s the coming man,” Roland went on; “we can see it more clearly over in England perhaps than you can over here. If I were a German I would back Herr Brumenhein with every bit of influence I possessed.”
And, indeed, so admirably did he present the future greatness of Herr Brumenhein that Herr Haupsehr got the impression that he had only to agree to these varnish proposals to be offered an important post in the ministry. It was not stated in so many words, but that was the suggestion. And, in the end, preliminary arrangements were drawn up and a contract signed. Herr Haupsehr showed Roland to the door with intense civility.