You don't understand me
a little bit.'
'Is it necessary that I should?'
'I don't suppose you think it is,' said Jennie meditatively, resting her
elbow on her knee and her chin on her palm. 'That is where our point of
view differs. I like to know everything. It interests me to learn what
people think and talk about, and somehow it doesn't seem to matter to me
who the people are, for I was even more interested in your butler's
political opinions than I was in Lord Frederick Bingham's. They are both
Conservatives, but Lord Freddie seems shaky in his views, for you can
argue him down in five minutes, but the butler is as steadfast as a rock.
I do admire that butler. I hope you will break the news of my departure
gently to him, for he proposed to me, and he has not yet had his answer.'
'There is still time,' said Edith, smiling in spite of herself. 'Shall I
ring for him?'
'Please do not. I want to avoid a painful scene, because he is so sure of
himself, and never dreams of a refusal. It is such a pity, too, for the
butler is my ideal of what a member of the aristocracy should be. His
dignity is positively awe-inspiring; while Lord Freddie is such a simple,
good-natured, everyday young fellow, that if I imported him to the States
I am sure no one would believe he was a real lord. With the butler it
would be _so_ different,' added Jennie, with a deep sigh.
'It is too bad that you cannot exchange the declaration of the butler for
one from Lord Frederick.
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