That's what I paid for. And you're a genuine old-fashioned English butler, not

just some waiter pretending to be one. You're the real thing, aren't you? That's

what I wanted, isn't that what I have?"

 

"I venture to say you do, sir."

 

"Then can you explain to me what Mrs Wakefield is saying? It's a big mystery to

me."

 

"It is possible I may well have given the lady a slightly misleading picture

concerning my career, sir. I do apologize if this caused embarrassment."

 

"I'll say it caused embarrassment. Those people have now got me down for a

braggart and a liar. Anyway, what do you mean, you may have given her a

'slightly misleading picture'?"

 

"I'm very sorry, sir. I had no idea I might cause you such embarrassment."

 

"But dammit, Stevens, why did you tell her such a tale?"

 

I considered the situation for a moment, then said: "I'm very sorry, sir. But it

is to do with the ways of this country."

 

"What are you talking about, man?"