He had now been summoned home through the
machinations of his dangerous old friend Colonel Osborne, in order that
he might give the results of his experience in governing before a
committee of the House of Commons. In coming to England on this
business he had thought much more of his holiday, of his wife and
children, of his daughters at home, of his allowance per day while he
was to be away from his government, and of his salary to be paid to him
entire during his absence, instead of being halved as it would be if he
were away on leave; he had thought much more in coming home on these
easy and pleasant matters, than he did on the work that was to be
required from him when he arrived. And then it came to pass that he
felt himself almost injured, when the Colonial Office demanded his
presence from day to day, and when clerks bothered him with questions
as to which they expected ready replies, but in replying to which Sir
Marmaduke was by no means ready. The working men at the Colonial Office
had not quite thought that Sir Marmaduke was the most fitting man for
the job in hand.
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