Page:The Black Camel (IA blackcamel0000earl).djvu/87

“Really, sir?” answered Jessop. ‘The memory must be most gratifying to you.”

“It is, indeed. How long is it now that you have been Miss Fane’s butler?”

“Two years, sir.”

“You were in Hollywood before that, maybe?”

“For about eighteen months, I was.”

“A butler, always?”

“Always a butler, sir. I had a number of berths before I went with Miss Fane. I am bound to say that I was unhappy in all of them.”

“The work was, perhaps, too difficult?”

“Not at all, sir. I objected to the familiarity of my employers. There is a certain reserve that should exist between servant and master. I found that lacking. The ladies I worked for would often weep in my presence and tell me stories of unrequited love. The gentlemen who engaged me were inclined to treat me like some long-lost brother. One in particular was accustomed to address me as ‘old pal’ and when a bit under the influence, would embrace me in the presence of guests. A man has his dignity, sir.”

“It has been well said, without dignity there can be no stature,” Charlie assured him. “You found Miss Fane of a different type?”

“I did indeed, sir. A lady who knew her place as I knew mine. There was never any undue informality in her treatment of me.”

“Relations were, then, of the happiest?”

“That they were. I should like to add that I am quite heart-broken by this evening’s business, sir.”

“Ah, yes—coming to this evening—did any of the gentlemen whom you admitted here to-night wear an overcoat, Jessop?”