Low. Lady Laura had no misgivings as to Phineas being
fit for governing, and Violet Effingham said nothing as to the
short-lived tenure of ministers. Madame Max Goesler, though she had
asked an indiscreet question, thoroughly appreciated the advantage
of Government pay, and the prestige of Government power. "You are a
lord now," she said, speaking, as was customary with her, with the
slightest possible foreign accent, "and you will be a president soon,
and then perhaps a secretary. The order of promotion seems odd, but I
am told it is very pleasant."
"It is pleasant to succeed, of course," said Phineas, "let the
success be ever so little."
"We knew you would succeed," said Lady Laura. "We were quite sure of
it. Were we not, Violet?"
"You always said so, my dear. For myself I do not venture to have
an opinion on such matters. Will you always have to go to that big
building in the corner, Mr. Finn, and stay there from ten till four?
Won't that be a bore?"
"We have a half-holiday on Saturday, you know," said Phineas.
"And do the Lords of the Treasury have to take care of the money?"
asked Madame Max Goesler.
"Only their own; and they generally fail in doing that," said
Phineas.
He sat there for a considerable time, wondering whether Mr.
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