"this little foible had always amused ben because the man seemed so staid in other ways . the office was unusually quiet today . james came forward to greet him with his hand outstretched and his head on one side in the characteristic attitude he adopted with his clients . '' hello , benjamin . what a terrible business this is ! '' ben had never felt quite comfortable in conversation with _ ..." What is the word in the blank space (_)? The answer is
james