“It has many, my lord!” said the butler, staring at him.
“Remove them, if you please.”
“ Remove them, my lord?”
“Not just at once, of course, but before I sit at the table again. Also that thing!”
“The epergne, my lord?” Abney faltered. “Where — where would your lordship desire it to be put?”
The Earl regarded it thoughtfully. “A home question, Abney. Unless you know of a dark cupboard, perhaps, where it could be safely stowed away?”
“My mother,” stated Martin, ready for a skirmish, “has a particular fondness for that piece!”
“How very fortunate!” returned St. Erth. “Do draw your chair to this end of the table, Martin! and you too, Mr. Clowne! Abney, have the epergne conveyed to her ladyship’s sitting-room!”
Theo looked amused, but said under his breath: “Gervase, for God’s sake — !”
“You will not have that thing put into my mother’s room!” exclaimed Martin, a good deal startled.