I say, Kendal!' 'Well ?' Wallace hesitated, and glanced up at his friend with his most winning expression.
'Do you think _you_ could earn my eternal gratitude and manage the thing for me?
You know we're going to Oxford next Sunday, and I suppose we shall go to Nuneham, and there will be opportunities for walks, and so on.

Could you possibly take it in hand?
She has an immense respect for you intellectually.

If you tell her that you're sure the part won't suit her, that she won't do herself justice in it; if you could lead the conversation on to it and try to put her out of love for the scheme without seeming to have a commission from me in any way, I should be indeed everlastingly obliged! You wouldn't make a mess of it, as I should be sure to do.

You'd keep your head cool.' 'Well!' said Kendal, laughing, balancing himself on the table facing Wallace.

'That's a tempting prospect! But if I don't help you out you'll give in, I know; you're the softest of men, and I don't want you to give in.' 'Yes, of course I shall give in,' said Wallace, with smiling decision.
'If you don't want me to, suppose you take the responsibility.