that afternoon, regarding it as just another instance of an American gentleman's

unfamiliarity with what was and what was not commonly done in England. The fact

that my attitude to this same suggestion underwent a change over the following

days - indeed, that the notion of a trip to the West Country took an ever

increasing hold on my thoughts - is no doubt substantially attributable to - and

why should I hide it? - the arrival of Miss Kenton's letter, her first in almost

seven years if one discounts the Christmas cards. But let me make it immediately

clear -what I mean by this; what I mean to say is that Miss Kenton's letter set

off a certain chain of ideas to do with professional matters here at Darlington

Hall, and I would underline that it was a preoccupation with these very same

professional matters that led me to consider anew my employer's kindly meant

suggestion. But let me explain further.

 

The fact is, over the past few months, I have been responsible for a series of

small errors in the carrying out of my duties. I should say that these errors

have all been without exception quite trivial in themselves. Nevertheless, I

think you will understand that to one not accustomed to committing such errors,

this development was rather disturbing, and I did in fact begin to entertain all

sorts of alarmist theories as to their cause. As so often occurs in these

situations, I had become blind to the obvious - that is, until my pondering over

the implications of Miss Kenton's letter finally opened my eyes to the simple

truth: that these small errors of recent months have derived from nothing more

sinister than a faulty staff plan.

 

It is, of course, the responsibility of every butler to devote his utmost care