Read "Corridors of Power" by C.P. Snow online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
On Sunday afternoon, a couple of days after the Memorial Service, Margaret and I were sitting at home. The children had gone out to Christmas parties and we were peaceful. Then the telephone rang. As she answered it, I saw her look surprised. Yes, he is in, she was saying. Apparently the other person was trying to make a date with me: Margaret, protective, suggested that we should be alone, so wouldn't it be better to come in for a drink? There was a long explanation. At last, she left the receiver off and came to me with a commiserating curse. ‘Hector Rose,' she said.
Over the telephone, his voice sounded more than ever glacial. ‘I am most extremely sorry to disturb you, my dear Lewis, I wouldn't have done so if I hadn't a rather urgent reason. Do make my apologies to your wife. I really am very, very sorry.'