And yet, it was like the Duke.
It was like the Duke, to remind him, to assure him, in this way, that he, the King, was of importance, that he was being served, well served, in small matters, as well as in great. Something of the sort must have been in the old Duke's mind, when he gave the orders, which had provided him, the King, with a dress shirt—and studs!—now, when he wanted them—
No doubt, some member of the palace household staff, Smith perhaps, had been sent down, specially, from the palace, with these things, during the afternoon. Like the police, and the military, he would have been given orders to remain invisible. That was as it should be. A valet would have been out of place in Paradise. Alfred, the sailor, would be entitled to a servant, of course. But he would hardly accompany him on—"a short leave of absence"—
The King was glad to change.
He was glad to think, as he dressed leisurely, that he would appear suitably clad at Judith's table.
There is a stimulation in clothes which he was young enough to feel.
He was still struggling with his dress tie, when the dinner gong sounded.
CHAPTER XV
