Part 9 (1/2)
”I have not left the country, and I want a good deal with you, Mr.
Premier Medland.”
”I lost touch of you four years ago.”
”Yes; it ceased to matter what became of me about then, didn't it?”
”Have you been in the same place?”
”No; I broke. I have been up country.”
”What brings you here? If you wanted money you could have written.”
”I've never asked you for money. I wouldn't come to you if I wasn't hard put to it.”
”What do you want then?”
”Is that all you have to say to me? Have you no regret to express to me?”
”Not an atom,” said the Premier, puffing at his cigar. ”If I'd felt any regret I should have expressed it long ago.”
”Time doesn't seem to bring repentance to you.”
”Don't talk nonsense. What do you want with me?”
”Well, yes, business is business. Look here! I am a respected man where I live. My name is known at Shepherdstown. Benham is, I say, a respected name.”
”Well?”
”Now, here in Kirton I'm not known. I was never here in my life before.
No one would recognise me as the man whose----”
”As Benyon? I suppose not. Well?”
”Taking all that into account, I see no reason why I shouldn't get the vacant Inspectors.h.i.+p of Railways. It's a nice place, and it's in your gift.”
Mr. Medland raised his eyebrows and smiled.
”It involves travelling most of the time,” pursued Benham, ”and I needn't live in Kirton, if you preferred that arrangement.”
”You are very considerate.”
”You see you owe me something.”
”Which I might pay out of the public purse? Is that your suggestion?”
”Oh, come, we're men of business. You're not on a platform.”
”No,” said Mr. Medland meditatively. ”I am not on a platform.
Consequently I feel at liberty to tell you--” he paused and smiled again.