You're well known in the constituency--I am jolly lucky to have a man like you as an opponent." "Mr.Savelli," said Mr.Finn, "it was precisely so that we should not be opponents that I have taken this unusual step." "I don't quite understand," said Paul.
"Mr.Finn wants you to retire in favour of some other Conservative candidate," said Jane calmly.
"Retire?
I retire ?" Paul looked at her, then at Barney Bill, who nodded his white head, then at Mr.Finn, whose deep eyes met his with a curious tragical mournfulness.

The proposal took his breath away.

It was crazily preposterous.

But for their long faces he would have burst into laughter.

"Why on earth do you want me to retire ?" he asked good-humouredly.
"I will tell you," said Mr.Finn.