When his active years are done, there aren’t going to be many berths waiting for a journeyman spy in his late forties who detests desk work and has the curriculum vitae of a middle-ranking diplomat who never made the grade.”
-- Nat (chapter 2)

Importance: This quote reveals Nat's apprehension towards his career and approaching retirement. Nat is self-conscious about how his job sounds to those who do not know he is really a spy; to them, like to his curriculum vitae, he is only a second rate diplomat.

The workspace is a total washout as regards what I would term free speech. In the workplace it is mandatory to have no strongly held opinion on any subject…Even if such people profess and admiration for Western democracy, they still prefer the easy life as opposed to recognizing their duty as responsible opponents of the encroaching fascist enemy.”
-- Ed (chapter 5)

Importance: In this quote, Ed reveals his...