“Yes, I expect to go back to Spain, and work there.”
“At what?”
“In politics.”
“Are you patriotic?”
“Yes, up to a certain point. I have no transcendental idea of patriotism at all. Patriotism, as I interpret it, is a matter of curiosity. I believe that there is strength in Spain. If this strength could be led in a given direction, where would it get to? That is my form of patriotism; as I say, it is an experimental form.”
Kennedy looked at Cæsar with curiosity.
“And how can it help you with your plans to stay here in Rome?” he asked.
“It can help me. In Spain nobody knows me. This is the only place where I have a certain position, through being the nephew of a Cardinal. I am trying to build on that. How am I going to arrange it? I don’t know. I am feeling out my future course, taking soundings.”
“But the support you could find here would be all of a clerical nature,” said Kennedy.
“Of course.”