He looked like a curate.

Doesn't the rector do anything ?" Then Morton, who was by this time heartily sick of explaining, explained the unfortunate state of Mr.Puttock's health, and the conversation was carried on till gradually the Senator learned that Mr.Puttock received L800 a year and a house for doing nothing, and that he paid his deputy L100 a year with the use of a pony.

"And how long will that be allowed to go on, Mr.Morton ?" asked the Senator.
To all these inquiries Morton found himself compelled not only to answer, but to answer the truth.

Any prevarication or attempt at mystification fell to the ground at once under the Senator's tremendous powers of inquiry.

It had been going on for four years, and would probably go on now till Mr.Puttock died.