reason to do otherwise in this house."

 

"A most understandable error, Miss Kenton.

 

However, if you will consider the situation for a moment, you may come to see

the inappropriateness of someone such as yourself talking 'down' to one such as

my father."

 

"I am still not clear what you are getting at, Mr Stevens. You say someone such

as myself, but I am as far as I understand the housekeeper of this house, while

your father is the under-butler."

 

"He is of course in title the under-butler, as you say. But I am surprised your

powers of observation have not already made it clear to you that he is in

reality more than that. A great deal more."

 

"No doubt I have been extremely unobservant, Mr Stevens. I had only observed

that your father was an able under-butler and addressed him accordingly. It must

indeed have been most galling for him to be so addressed by one such as I."

 

"Miss Kenton, it is clear from your tone you simply have not observed my father.

 

If you had done so, the inappropriateness of someone of your age and standing

addressing him as 'William' should have been self-evident to you."