He did want a post; anyhow, he ought to try for it.

On the whole he liked Duveen, and thought he might have liked Ruth better had she not been rich.

All the same, Duveen was a shrewd manipulator of new industries and to take a post by his favor would be to own a debt, for which payment might be demanded.

Yet Duveen had been kind and Lister hesitated.
"I asked for a post," he said.

"If I'm engaged, I'll try to make good; but I must make good at the dam or on the ditch.