“That's the ticket. But mind no examination,—no going before the Civil Service chaps. I tell you fairly, I would n't take the Governor-Generalship of India if I had to go up for the multiplication-table. I think I see myself sitting trembling before them, one fellow asking me, 'Who invented “pitch and toss”?' and another inquiring 'Who was the first man ever took pepper with oysters?'”
“Leave all that to Agincourt,” said Heathcote; “he'll explain to his guardian that you were for several sessions a distinguished member of the House—”
“'T was I that brought 'crowing' in. I used to crow like a cock when old Sibthorp got up, and set them all off laughing.”
“I 'll mention your public services—”
“And don't say that I 'm hard up. Don't make it appear that it 's because I 'm out at the elbows I 'm going, but just a whim,—the way Gladstone went to Greece the other day; that's the real dodge, for they keep the Scripture in mind up in Downing Street, and it's always the 'poor they send empty away.'”
“And you'll dine with us here, at seven?” said Agincourt, rising from the table.
“That 's as much as to say, 'Cut your lucky now, Gorman; we don't want you till dinner-time.'”
“You forget that he has got the letter to write about you,” said Heathcote. “You don't want him to lose a post?”
“And the gray horse?”
“He's mine; I 've bought him.”