"I believe it might cost us a dozen votes. I couldn't defend the choice myself. I fought him once, and I know all about him. Who recommended him to you?"
"No one. He came himself."
Norburn laughed.
"It needs some assurance," he remarked, "for a man with his record to come to you. He must have known that I could tell you all about him."
The Premier smiled: to tell him all about Benham was exactly what his zealous young colleague could not do.
"Then it's quite out of the question?" he asked.
"If you take my opinion, quite."
The Premier gave a sigh of relief. He was glad to have the matter settled for him, and to be saved from the temptation that had been besetting him these ten days past.
"The fellow must be mad to expect such a thing," continued Norburn. "Why doesn't he go to the other side?"
"Perhaps he will now," answered Medland. It seemed not at all unlikely.