He did so.
“I see you’ve succeeded in taking the house,” was the somewhat pointless remark.
“I am in it, my lord,” was the equally pointless reply.
More to the purpose was the explanation that followed:
“I regret to inform your lordship that it has cost a considerable sum.”
“How much?”
“I had to take it for a whole year—at a rent of two hundred pounds.”
“Pooh! never mind that. It’s for the service of the State. In such matters we are obliged to make liberal disbursement. And now, my dear sir, let me explain to you why it has been taken, and for what purpose you have been placed in it.”
Swinton settled down into an attitude of obsequious attention.
His patron proceeded: