“Theodore Spratte wants me to make him a bishop,” said Lord Stonehenge, with a slow smile.
“Well, he’ll keep his clergy in order,” said Lady Patricia. “He’s very energetic and clever.”
“I prefer them stupid,” retorted the Prime Minister.
There was another pause, and presently Lord Stonehenge remembered an observation of his secretary.
“Vanhatton says I promised to do something for Spratte before the last election. I never thought we’d get in. His father was the most disagreeable man I ever saw.”
“I wonder what Mr. Highbury will say to him.”
“It’s no business of his,” retorted Lord Stonehenge, with considerable irritation.
“No, but you know what he is,” answered Lady Patricia, doubtfully.
The Prime Minister meditated for some time upon the officiousness of his colleague.
“I like my bishops tedious and rather old,” he said, at last. “Then their clergy give them plenty to do, and they don’t meddle with the Government.”