“Oh, that’s just your imagination, Barbe. I’ll answer for him when it comes to––”
“You needn’t take the trouble to do that, because I don’t like him.”
“Oh, but you will when you come to understand him.”
“Possibly; but I don’t mean to come to understand him. Old servants can be an awful nuisance, Rash––”
“But Steptoe isn’t exactly an old servant. He’s more like––”
“Oh, I know what he’s like. He’s a habit; and habits are always dangerous, even when they’re good. But we’re not going to quarrel about Steptoe yet. I just thought I’d put you on your guard––”
“Against him?”
“He’s a horrid old schemer, if that’s what you want me to say; but then it may be what you like.”
“Well, I do,” he laughed, “when it comes to him. He’s been a horrid old schemer as long as I remember him, but always for my good.”