A beautiful table of rare Indian inlay work was set before Miss Perry. Mr. Marchbanks placed the silver tray upon it.
Miss Perry immediately sat very upright indeed.
“Thank you so much,” said she. Her air was so charmingly sincere that it went some way towards reconciling Mr. Marchbanks to many things.
The old lady mounted her eyeglass again. It was clear from the general irony of her demeanor that she was expecting some kind of development. In this expectation she was not disappointed.
For a moment Miss Perry appeared to be rather troubled by the wafer-like texture of the bread and jam. It was only for a moment, however. Without waiting to pour out the tea into the tiny blue china cup that had been provided for its reception, she proceeded very carefully to pile each of the wafer-like pieces of bread and jam one upon another. These by their united efforts having become a tolerable-sized morsel, Miss Perry opened her mouth with pensive deliberation, and placed therein gently but firmly the five pieces as one.
If there is a combination of words in the English language which can express the manner in which the old lady turned to meet the half-frightened gaze of her gentlewoman, it is certainly not in the possession of her biographer. Miss Perry, however, masticated her morsel with superb unconcern.
“Burden, have the goodness to ring the bell,” said the old lady, with formidable politeness.
Mr. Marchbanks entered. As a preliminary measure his mistress fixed that diplomatist with her eye. She literally dared him to move a muscle.
“Marchbanks,” said she, “have the goodness to bring another plate of bread and jam.”
Mr. Marchbanks made a bow worthy of a reception at the Foreign Office.