Glad to be released, Benson expeditiously set out the dessert and withdrew.
“What could you mean, Helen, by taking the servant’s part against me,” said Arthur, as soon as the door was closed, “when you knew I was distracted?”
“I did not know you were distracted, Arthur: and the poor man was quite frightened and hurt at your sudden explosion.”
“Poor man, indeed! and do you think I could stop to consider the feelings of an insensate brute like that, when my own nerves were racked and torn to pieces by his confounded blunders?”
“I never heard you complain of your nerves before.”
“And why shouldn’t I have nerves as well as you?”
“Oh, I don’t dispute your claim to their possession, but I never complain of mine.”
“No, how should you, when you never do anything to try them?”
“Then why do you try yours, Arthur?”
“Do you think I have nothing to do but to stay at home and take care of myself like a woman?”