Yet not a word of what he thinks.

The Sphinx was garrulous in comparison.

Then here comes a mob of my good friends crying for office for me.

So I sent a ten-line note, by the hand of my secretary, saying that this should not disturb my perfect frankness nor (I knew it would not) his confidence.

Again, a note in his own hand, of perfect understanding and with the very glow of gratitude.
And he talks--generalities to the public.