"Now that we are firmly entrenched in this corner," said Mr. Harford, after they had finished their soup, "I've got a proposition to lay before you. I was useful at Bibury, wasn't I?"
"Very," said Ben.
"I helped in bucking the men up and getting things done?"
"Very," said Ben.
"And you don't dislike me?"
"Not particularly," said Ben.
"Well," said Mr. Harford, "what I was thinking is that you and I might do very well in partnership."
Ben flushed.
"No," he said quickly. "I don't mean what you think I mean—at any rate not at the moment. But you're not engaged, are you?"
"No," said Ben.