"I've never seen an organ close to before," said Diana, "though I've often stopped outside a church to listen."
The footman's hands grew vague, his glassy eyes turned themselves upon Jeremy in fascinated horror, beneath which disdainful scrutiny Jeremy flushed, uneasily conscious of work-grimed hands and clothes.
"Of course I shan't mind singing to you," said Diana, "because you are my old pal."
The footman dropped a plate; stooping for this, he brought down three or four spoons and forks in his agitation.
"Atkinson!"
"My lord!" answered Atkinson, appearing suddenly.
"What is this?" demanded his lordship, fixing the gorgeous person with terrible eye.
"The third footman, I believe, my lord."
"Send him out—he annoys me."
The gorgeous person having taken himself off, Jeremy sighed in huge relief but glanced furtively askance from dainty china and snowy linen to his own grimy hands and smirched garments; perceiving which embarrassment the Earl hastened to set him at his ease: