A friendship, nothing more! Only the other day Benham had spoken casually of his "friendship" for Mrs.Rokeby; he always called her "Mrs.Rokeby"; and Stephen had accepted the phrase as a satisfactory explanation of their past association.
"I'd like to go into some public work," said the young man.

"To tell the truth I can't settle down." "I know," Benham responded sympathetically.

"I went through it all myself; but there is nothing like throwing oneself into some outside work.

I wish you would come into this fight.

If we can avert this strike it will be worth any sacrifice." That Benham was making tremendous personal sacrifices, Stephen knew, and the young man's voice was tinged with emotion as he answered, "I'm afraid I'm not much of a speaker." "Oh, you would be, if you would only let yourself go." There it was again! Even Benham recognized his weakness; even Benham knew that he was afraid of life.
"Besides we need men of every type," Benham was saying smoothly.