Edgar Jepson

“ There I should have had an immense amount of work I dislike among people I dislike more than the work, and food I dislike, and in the country I dislike, and about the same pay. I preferred to be a butler.”
She studied him with a doubtful, dissatisfied air. Suddenly he looked at her and smiled.
“You see, madam,” he said, “any of my friends who dislike butlers can regard me as an art dealer.”
There can be no reason why a rising young musical comedian should blush when an art dealer smiles at her. ”

“ Some day I may rise to having an art gallery, as they call it, of my own.”
“Then are you really an art dealer already?”
“A private art dealer—yes, madam.”
“Then is that why you don't wear livery? Or is it that Mr. Stuart does not care to go to the expense of buying liveries?”
“I go with the house, madam. And in this house no one wears livery.”
She paused; then she said in a faintly complaining tone:
“It makes it difficult to bear in mind always that you're a butler.” ”

“ She did not lunch or dine with the Earl of Bastable or other admirers as often as she had been used. She preferred to take her meals at home, and she was surprised at the preference. She did not dream of admitting to herself that the fact that James Bletsoe frequently waited on her was the reason for it. ”