That was a thing he didn't pretend to know.

But it wouldn't work out for his benefit that was a thing he did know.

When a man was confronted with a big political change the question he naturally asked himself was, "Is it going to be worth my while ?" and he acted on the answer to that question.

He was able to explain to Hesketh, by a variety of facts and figures, of fascinating interest to the inquiring mind, just how and where such a concern as the Milburn Boiler Company would be "hit" by the new policy, after which he asked his guest fairly, "Now, if you were in my shoes, would you see your way to voting for any such thing ?" "If I were in your shoes," said Hesketh, thoughtfully, "I can't say I would." On grounds of sentiment, Octavius assured him, they were absolutely at one, but in practical matters a man had to proceed on business principles.

He went about at this time expressing great esteem for Hesketh's capacity to assimilate facts.