He didn't get it, but he nearly did, and it struck me that he was just the man I wanted.

So after he had had his say, I had mine, and he has thrown up politics and joined me.' Drake ended his story with a laugh, and added, 'I think I am lucky to have got hold of him.' 'Then you don't mean to go away for good ?' exclaimed Mrs.Willoughby.
'Oh dear no! What on earth made you think that?
But I will be away a year, I think,--and--and, that's just the point.' His embarrassment returned as suddenly as it had left him.
'I don't understand.' 'Well, I had an idea of persuading Fielding to go with me.' He blurted the proposal brusquely.

'He's interested, you see, in the success of the colony, and--well, altogether, I didn't think it would be a bad thing.' Mrs.Willoughby walked to the window and looked out of it for a few seconds.

'What does Mr.Fielding say ?' she asked.
'I haven't broached the subject to him yet.

I thought I wouldn't before--' He stopped and made no effort to finish the sentence.
'It's a year,' she said slowly, lengthening out the word.