"Nor have I," Rendel said, with a smile.
"Let's see. How long have you been married?"
"Four months," Rendel replied.
"As I told you, I am inexperienced in these matters," Stamfordham said, "but perhaps while one still counts by months it is more difficult to assert one's authority."
"My wife," said Rendel, "does not wish to leave her father, who is in delicate health. Sir William Gore, you know."
"Oh, Sir William Gore, yes," said Stamfordham, with an inflection which implied that Sir William Gore was not worth sacrificing any possible advantages for.
"I am very, very sorry," Rendel said gravely. "I would have given a great deal to have been going to Africa just now."
"Yes, indeed. There will be infinite possibilities over there as soon as things have settled down," said Stamfordham. And he looked at a table that was covered with papers of different kinds, among them some notes in his own handwriting, and said, "Pity my unfortunate secretaries! I don't think I have ever had any one who knew how to read those impossible hieroglyphics as you did."
"I don't know whether I ought to say I am glad or sorry to hear that," said Rendel, as he went towards the door.