"What do you want then?"
"Is that all you have to say to me? Have you no regret to express to me?"
"Not an atom," said the Premier, puffing at his cigar. "If I'd felt any regret I should have expressed it long ago."
"Time doesn't seem to bring repentance to you."
"Don't talk nonsense. What do you want with me?"
"Well, yes, business is business. Look here! I am a respected man where I live. My name is known at Shepherdstown. Benham is, I say, a respected name."
"Well?"
"Now, here in Kirton I'm not known. I was never here in my life before. No one would recognise me as the man whose——"
"As Benyon? I suppose not. Well?"
"Taking all that into account, I see no reason why I shouldn't get the vacant Inspectorship of Railways. It's a nice place, and it's in your gift."