Somehow Lister thought he was amused.
Lister's heart beat.

He felt this was ridiculous, because he had persuaded himself it did not matter whether he got the post or not.

Now, however, when the moment to try his luck had come, he shrank from the plunge he had resolved to make if he were not engaged.

After all, he knew and liked his occupation; to let it go and try fresh fields would be something of a wrench.
The gentlemen did not embarrass him.

On the whole, they were urbane, and when the secretary gave the chairman his application one asked a few questions about the work he had done.