The New Men by C.P. Snow

Back in Whitehall, the Minister plumped in on Luke's side. It was gallant for a man whose job was tottering, for it meant opposing those in power. It meant acting against Bevill's own maxims – if those above had it in for you, never make a nuisance of yourself and never go away. For once in his life he disregarded them.

No one could understand why. With Bevill, everyone looked for some cunning political motive. I believed that, just this once, there was none. Underneath the politics, the old man had a vein of narrow, rigid, aristocratic patriotism. He had been convinced that Luke's scheme might be good for the country; that may have been a reason why Bevill made enemies in order to give Luke his head.