“I don’t think I do understand.”
“I want to become, for a time, a member of your household, and to be your butler seems the only available plan that is worthy of adoption. I want to watch over you, and to be your butler. I’ll wager that this is the first time in your life when a confessed admirer has offered to become your butler, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” she replied coolly, “and it is also the first time in my life when I have felt it my duty to grant what one of them has asked. You shall be my butler, Mr. Carter. Could I say more?”
“Good,” said Nick, chuckling audibly. “You will have no trouble in sending old Simmons away on a vacation for a time. Now, I want you also to engage a new stable-boy.”
“You are not expecting to serve in both capacities, are you?” she asked.
“Oh, no. I have a young friend who is sometimes handy to have about. I want him there.”
“Consider the new stable-boy engaged. I will give directions about him as soon as I reach home.”
“Excellent. You can let it be supposed that he came over on the same ship, if you care to do so. I’ll guarantee that he will be sufficiently Irish to fool the best of them.”
“Is there anything else?”
“Yes; one more. I want to put one more man in your house. Where shall I put him?”