The covenant - James A. Michener [412]
'I saved him,' Rhodes said, and he proceeded to depict the bright future that awaited this brilliant chap
'He's not brilliant,' she cut in. 'He's not even bright, if you ask me, getting involved in your daydreams.'
Ignoring the interruption, Rhodes explained the dismal prospect that would await Frank if he married and lost his job, to which Maud asked, 'Why must he lose his job? If he does a sensible thing like marrying the woman of his choice?'
'Because no man can work as my personal assistant, and share the dreams I have, and cater to a woman, too.'
'Your dreams, Mr. Rhodes, are addled, and I'm taking Frank away from you before you turn him crazy, too.'
The threat was easier made than discharged, for when Frank was brought into the discussion, Rhodes pleaded for the young man's continued help, especially at this time of crisis: 'You must come with me to London. To help me face down the inquisitors.' And he made such a plaintive appeal, explaining the morass of legal problems he faced as a consequence of the rebellion, that Saltwood once more allowed himself to be entrapped by this man.
'Maud, I'll be gone only a short time. He needs me.'
I need you,' she replied. 'And if you go, don't count on my waiting for you forever.'
'Maud!' It was a cry she did not hear, for she had left the offices, and in her stead Frank had in his hands a sheaf of legal papers which he must study before sailing from Cape Town.
Maud's patience was to be severely tested, for not only did Rhodes keep his hold on Frank during this time, with its involved lawsuits and frenzied meetings, but he dragged him into another set of extensive negotiations in an attempt to strengthen his empire. He had exited from his troubles with more power and money than before; he had engaged in criminal acts against both the Boer republics and his own government, but had emerged almost unscathed. He did have to resign as prime minister of Cape Colony, but he retained his seat in Parliament permanently.
He turned once more to his grand design. The map of Africa must be painted red; Rhodesia must be extended in all directions. German infiltrations must be halted and Belgium watched. He had a thousand schemes, plus a special one which lay entwined with his heart: this he discussed with Saltwood, whom he considered, all things in balance, to have been the very finest of his eighteen or so young gentlemen.
'What do you think of it?' he asked one morning during their second trip to London as he shoved at Frank a rumpled paper covered with ink scratches. It was the rough outline of a new last will and testament seventh in lineexplaining his involved plan for a perpetual trust. It would receive millions of pounds, to be doled out to bright young men in the British colonies and America to enable them to attend Oxford and there imbibe the instruction which would encourage them to go forth and make the world British.
Mr. Rhodes proposed four large criteria for identifying the perfect man: scholastic achievement; success in manly sports; exhibition of moral force and leadership; and what he called 'qualities of manhood,' which included truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship. Young men who exhibited these qualities were to be handsomely endowed with scholarship funds and given every advantage in gaining a start in life.
'Well?' Rhodes asked impatiently.
'You establish very high standards, sir.'
'You met them. All my young gentlemen at Kimberley met them.'
When this reference was added, Frank understood what Mr. Rhodes hoped to accomplish with his largesse: he wanted an endless supply of the young men who had served him so wellNeville, Richard, Edgar, Elmhirst, Gordon, Mountjoy, Johnny, and so on, through eternity, men with first names only, who did not bother with girls but who stood tall and tended the duties of empire. The list of attributes Mr. Rhodes had drawn up were those best calculated to produce just such men, and there would always be both