"Oh, Ferris," said George, "Mr. Beamish thinks you had better stay in the room with the wedding-presents and keep an eye on them."
"Very good, sir."
"In case somebody tries to steal them, you know."
"Just so, sir."
Relief, as it always does, had given George a craving for conversation. He wanted to buttonhole some fellow-creature and babble. He would have preferred this fellow-creature to have been anyone but Ferris, for he had not forgotten the early passages of their acquaintanceship and seemed still to sense in the butler's manner a lingering antipathy. But Ferris was there, so he babbled to him.
"Nice day, Ferris."
"Yes, sir."
"Nice weather."
"Yes, sir."
"Nice country round here."