For a while he had remained content with Britain's part in the world, till gradually it dawned on him just… — John le Carré
For a while he had remained content with Britain's part in the world, till gradually it dawned on him just how trivial this was. How and when was a mystery…simply, he knew that if England were out of the game, the price of fish would not be altered by a farthing. He had often wondered which side he would be on if the test ever came; after prolonged reflection he had finally to admit that if either monolith had to win the day, he would prefer it to be the East.
“It's an aesthetic judgment as much as anything,” he explained, looking up. “Partly a moral one, of course.”
“Of course,” said Smiley politely.
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