"I want you to say that you won't take any office unless you are allowed to bring in one or two friends with you."
"Why should I do that? I shall not doubt any Cabinet chosen by Mr. Gresham."
"I'm not speaking of the Cabinet; I allude to men in lower offices, lords, and Under-Secretaries, and Vice-people. You know what I mean."
"I never interfere."
"But you must. Other men do continually. It's quite a common thing for a man to insist that one or two others should come in with him."
"Yes. If a man feels that he cannot sustain his own position without support, he declines to join the Government without it. But that isn't my case. The friends who are necessary to me in the Cabinet are the very men who will certainly be there. I would join no Government without the Duke; but—"
"Oh, the Duke—the Duke! I hate dukes—and duchesses too. I'm not talking about a duke. I want you to oblige me by making a point with Mr. Gresham that Mr. Finn shall have an office."
"Mr. Finn!"
"Yes, Mr. Finn. I'll explain it all if you wish it."
"My dear Glencora, I never interfere."