“Which? There is only one, isn’t there?” said the minister; “the Cousin Teresa man, of course. I think everyone would be pleased if we knighted him. Yes, you can put him down on the list of certainties⁠—under the letter L .”

“The letter L ,” said the secretary, who was new to his job; “does that stand for Liberalism or liberality?”

Most of the recipients of ministerial favour were expected to qualify in both of those subjects.

“Literature,” explained the minister.

And thus, after a fashion, Colonel Harrowcluff’s expectation of seeing his son’s name in the list of Honours was gratified.