his age can cope with."

 

"Miss Kenton, you clearly have little idea of w hat you are suggesting."

 

"Whatever your father was once, Mr Stevens, his powers are now greatly

diminished. This is what these 'trivial errors' as you call them really signify

and if you do not heed them, it will not be long before your father commits an

error of major proportions."

 

"Miss Kenton, you are merely making yourself look foolish."

 

"I am sorry, Mr Stevens, but I must go on. I believe there are many duties your

father should now be relieved of. He should not, for one, be asked to go on

carrying heavily laden trays. The way his hands tremble as he carries them into

dinner is nothing short of alarming. It is surely only a matter of time before a

tray falls from his hands on to a lady or gentleman's lap. And furthermore, Mr

Stevens, and I am very sorry to say this, I have noticed your father's nose."

 

"Have you indeed, Miss Kenton?"

 

"I regret to say I have, Mr Stevens. The evening before last I watched your

father proceeding very slowly towards the dining room with his tray, and I am

afraid I observed clearly a large drop on the end of his nose dangling over the

soup bowls.