"Well, old fellow," said Lord Chiltern, laughing. Then all doubt was
over, and in a moment Phineas was shaking his former,--and present
friend, warmly by the hand. "So we've come to be an Under-Secretary
have we?--and all that kind of thing."
"I had to get into harness,--when the harness offered itself," said
Phineas.
"I suppose so. It's a deuce of a bore, isn't it?"
"I always liked work, you know."
"I thought you liked hunting better. You used to ride as if you did.
There's Bonebreaker back again in the stable for you. That poor fool
who bought him could do nothing with him, and I let him have his
money back."
"I don't see why you should have done that."
"Because I was the biggest fool of the two. Do you remember when that
brute got me down under the bank in the river? That was about the
nearest touch I ever had. Lord bless me;--how he did squeeze me! So
here you are;--staying with the Pallisers,--one of a Government party
I suppose. But what are you going to do for a seat, my friend?"
"Don't talk about that yet, Chiltern."
"A sore subject,--isn't it? I think they have been quite right, you
know, to put Loughton into the melting-pot,--though I'm sorry enough
for your sake."
"Quite right," said Phineas.
"And yet you voted against it, old chap? But, come; I'm not going to
be down upon you.
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