"I liked the business-like way you tackled it.

It was British." Crowther smiled.

"I suppose it has become second nature with me to put business first," he said.
"Wish I could say the same," said Piers; and then, with his hand on the other man's arm: "Come and have a drink! You are staying for some time, I hope ?" "No, not for long," said Crowther.

"It was yielding to temptation to come here at all." "Are you alone ?" asked Piers.
"Quite alone." "Then there's no occasion to hurry," said Piers.

"You stay here for a bit, and kill time with me." "I never kill time," said Crowther deliberately.