"Why not?"
"Well, I don't know why I should tell you, but for two good reasons—it's difficult and it's dirty. Difficult because you're not popular with my friends—dirty, because—but you know that."
"You really mean to refuse?"
"Yes."
"Then what are you going to do for me?"
"I can't do anything for you."
"That's final?" asked Benham, facing him squarely. "You utterly refuse to do me a small favour, though you were ready enough to ruin my life?"
Medland was doubtful if he had ruined the man's life, but he only answered—
"I can't job you into anything. That's what you want, and it's what I can't do for you."