"That is the generally understood significance of 'it's yours,' is it not?" Why was it that everyone seemed so very taken aback when he offered them something? He was going to have to start warning them by owl in advance; it would save time. He had never had the impression, though, that Oakby was the sort for false modesty - that most loathsome of qualities - so he pressed on without belaboring the point. "If you would rather not accept - and believe me, I would have the utmost sympathy - I would like to know as soon as possible. It would look poorly to make a last-minute placement." And as little as he cared for such things, he could at least recognize that promoting the Muggle Studies professor would be a well-timed gesture.