“I should have thought,” she replied, indignantly, “that you would have understood that neither the lady nor the Brother are expected to recognise each other when they meet after the termination of the engagement.”
“It must be anxious work sometimes,” I remarked, “settling the disputes that arise.”
“It is, indeed,” said Miss Buller. “One contract on the part of a rising young artist was actually broken off in the middle because the sister who had engaged him, an inordinately vain girl, insisted on being introduced as a central figure into his Academy picture for the year. He refused, and appealed to me; I supported him; on which the young lady came to the office and abused us both. My fear now is,” she continued, “that Mr. Whiteley will step in and ‘provide’ Brothers, but I feel sure that this business could only be managed successfully by a lady. A dispute arose last week over the question of a Brother being required to introduce any friends he might meet at a party to his sister. I vetoed this at once, as real brothers often decline to do this, unless they consider their sister does them credit. On another occasion a Brother insisted on smoking a strong cigar in a cab, coming back from the theatre, saying that he was not accustomed to treat his sisters with ceremony.”
“That was rude,” I remarked; “but still I pity the men if they are engaged by very exacting sisters, because, after all, they are not real brothers.”
“abused us both.”
“Oh,” said Miss Buller, “I admit that sometimes sisters do get troublesome. One situation I find very hard to fill: the Brothers complain of its being such a hard place, as the young lady is so unpopular that no men ever come to speak to her, and her idea of a Brother is a person who never quits your side in the Row, or elsewhere. The consequence is, that the wretched Brother never has a moment’s relaxation. She pays very highly, however. You know, many men stipulate that, even if fulfilling engagements, they shall be free to attend race meetings. We are obliged to consider the Brothers, as I assure you the competition for our best ones is tremendous. They are engaged—like seats at the theatre—for weeks beforehand. I forgot to mention that they are paid less highly in the winter than in the Season.”
“You are certainly doing an excellent work,” I exclaimed, growing bolder as I felt my copy was made; “and, if I could hire myself out as your Brother,”—I paused expressively.
“I guess I don’t need to hire,” she replied gaily, “I find all the Brothers are willing to take me out for nothing.”
“For love, and not for money,”—I interrupted, bowing.