Arthur Charles Prohack came downstairs at eight thirty, as usual, and found breakfast ready in theempty dining-room. This pleased him, because there was nothing in life he hated more than to behurried. For him, hell was a place of which the inhabitants always had an eye on the clock and theclock was always further advanced than they had hoped.The dining-room, simply furnished with reproductions of chaste Chippendale, and chilled to theuncomfortable low temperature that hardy Britons pretend to enjoy, formed part of an ...
Read More
Arthur Charles Prohack came downstairs at eight thirty, as usual, and found breakfast ready in theempty dining-room. This pleased him, because there was nothing in life he hated more than to behurried. For him, hell was a place of which the inhabitants always had an eye on the clock and theclock was always further advanced than they had hoped.The dining-room, simply furnished with reproductions of chaste Chippendale, and chilled to theuncomfortable low temperature that hardy Britons pretend to enjoy, formed part of an unassailablycorrect house of mid-Victorian style and antiquity; and the house formed part of an unassailablycorrect square just behind Hyde Park Gardens. (Taxi-drivers, when told the name of the square, hadto reflect for a fifth of a second before they could recall its exact situation.)Mr. Prohack was a fairly tall man, with a big head, big features, and a beard. His characteristicexpression denoted benevolence based on an ironic realisation of the humanity of human nature. Hewas forty-six years of age and looked it. He had been for more than twenty years at the Treasury, inwhich organism he had now attained a certain importance. He was a Companion of the Bath. Heexulted in the fact that the Order of the Bath took precedence of those bumptious Orders, Star ofIndia, St. Michael and St. George, Indian Empire, Royal Victorian and British Empire; but helaughed at his wife for so exulting. If the matter happened to be mentioned he would point out thatin the table of precedence Companions of the Bath ranked immediately below Masters in Lunacy.He was proud of the Treasury's war record. Other departments of State had swollen to amazingdimensions during the war. The Treasury, while its work had been multiplied a hundredfold, hadincreased its personnel by only a negligible percentage. It was the cheapest of all the departments, the most efficient, and the most powerful. The War Office, the Admiralty, and perhaps one otherdepartment presided over by a personality whom the Prime Minister feared, did certainly defy andeven ignore the Treasury. But the remaining departments (and especially the "mushroomministries") might scheme as much as they liked, -they could do nothing until the Treasury hadapproved their enterprises. Modest Mr. Prohack was among the chief arbiters of destiny for them.He had daily sat in a chair by himself and approved or disapproved according to his conscience andthe rules of the Exchequer; and his fiats, in practice, had gone forth as the fiats of the Treasury.
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has hardback covers. In poor condition, suitable as a reading copy. No dust jacket. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item, 300grams, ISBN:
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has hardback covers. In poor condition, suitable as a reading copy. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item, 450grams, ISBN:
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
