This was a most embarrassing situation, one in which Lord Darlington would never

have placed an employee. But then I do not mean to imply anything derogatory

about Mr Farraday; he is, after all, an American gentleman and his ways are

often very different. There is no question at all that he meant any harm; but

you will no doubt appreciate how uncomfortable a situation this was for me.

 

"I'd never have figured you for such a lady's man Stevens," he went on. "Keeps

the spirit young, I guess. But then I really don't know it's right for me to be

helping you with such dubious assignations."

 

Naturally, I felt the temptation to deny immediately and unambiguously such

motivations as my employer was imputing to me, but saw in time that to do so

could be to rise to Mr Farraday's bait, and the situation would only become

increasingly embarrassing. I therefore continued to stand there awkwardly,

waiting for my employer to give me permission to undertake the motoring trip.

 

Embarrassing as those moments were for me, I would not wish to imply that I in

any way blame Mr Farraday, who is in no sense an unkind person; he was, I am

sure, merely enjoying the sort of bantering which in the United States, no

doubt, is a sign of a good, friendly understanding between employer and

employee, indulged in as a kind of affectionate sport. Indeed, to put things

into a proper perspective, I should point out that just such bantering on my new

employer's part has characterized much of our relationship over these months -

though I must confess, I remain rather unsure as to how I should respond. In

fact, during my first days under Mr Farraday, I was once or twice quite