He went out, and I took a closer look at the footman, who seemed to have been indicated as Lord Arthur.
He was a handsome, rather disdainful-looking young man, and when Edward had left the room he said familiarly: "Then you're one of us, eh? Why do you want to rig yourself out in this sort of kit! Which will you wear? I should recommend the white flannel, if you want to do the thing thoroughly."
"The white flannel will do very well," I said. "I am studying social conditions, and, as you say, want to do it thoroughly."
"Well, I think you're rather a fool," he said. "You can see all you want of the rich by taking service with them as I have done. You needn't live like them."
"I rather like making myself comfortable," I said tentatively.
His lip curled. "Is your mind comfortable when your body is comfortable?" he asked.
"It is more likely to be so," I replied.
"There are a good many people with low tastes in the world," he said, "but they don't generally acknowledge them in that unblushing way. If you want a life of comfort because you like it, why don't you say so? You'll find plenty of swabs[10] in your own class to join in with, who don't pretend to be social students."
"I was only chaffing," I said. "Have you got a good place here?"