Fascinating indeed. My own guess - (I guess we're all guessing) - is that Gertrude, a political naïf capable of only rough calculation re: nuance in current ('39, '40, '41 etc) winds of doctrine, and with very genuine affection for Fay - a very affable gentleman indeed, (if you remember our brief meeting with him in Paris), and his returned affection for her, his persuasion to do a friend a favor and say nice things - stretching conscience no more than her willingness would permit - to help his dear
