If every underling wanted a few hours to
think about it, how could any Government ever be got together? "I am
sorry to put you to inconvenience," continued Phineas, seeing that
the great man was but ill-satisfied, "but I am so placed that I
cannot avail myself of your flattering kindness without some little
time for consideration."
"I had hoped that the office was one which you would like."
"So it is, Mr. Gresham."
"And I was told that you are now free from any scruples,--political
scruples, I mean,--which might make it difficult for you to support
the Government."
"Since the Government came to our way of thinking,--a year or two
ago,--about Tenant Right, I mean,--I do not know that there is any
subject on which I am likely to oppose it. Perhaps I had better tell
you the truth, Mr. Gresham."
"Oh, certainly," said the Prime Minister, who knew very well that
on such occasions nothing could be worse than the telling of
disagreeable truths.
"When you came into office, after beating Mr. Daubeny on the Church
question, no man in Parliament was more desirous of place than
I was,--and I am sure that none of the disappointed ones felt
their disappointment so keenly.
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