"It's not that you can't..." Douglas looked at him with a smile. "What did you have in mind?"
"Sir, you taught Dobby to identify the principal contradiction." Dobby spoke with utmost seriousness. "What is the principal contradiction facing elves? Is it that wizards won't let us hold our heads high? No. There are still many people in the wizarding world like you and Miss Granger. So it's that we ourselves feel we only deserve to bow our heads..."
"...Unite everyone who can be united..."
"...Following the idea of encircling the cities from the countryside..."
"...First, we must establish ideals and purpose for our own elves..."
"...The path to survival for house-elves lies in domestic services..."
Douglas listened to Dobby's speech and rubbed his nose. He hadn't taught him any of this. The books were sitting right there, and the Muggles' experiences were playing out in plain sight... None of this had anything to do with him!
Douglas suddenly smiled, leaned back in his chair, and stretched. "All right. I was worried you'd gone astray, but now it seems you've gone even further than I have."
"No need to change the plan. Do it just as you said."
Dobby's eyes widened at once, and his ears shot straight up. "Sir, do you mean it? You don't think I'm being fanciful?"
"Fanciful?" Douglas raised an eyebrow. "Voldemort has started studying Muggle physics, and the Death Eaters in Azkaban are working sewing machines. The wizarding world is already a complete mess. One more person adding fuel to the fire won't make much difference. Besides-"
He tapped the plan. "Why would I oppose such a beautiful open conspiracy? Earn your living through skills, establish yourselves through essential demand, and make fewer enemies through a united front. One solid step at a time. Very sound..."