They were all there, Mr. Carter."

"All who?"

"All Archie's people. The dowager said we must get really to
know one another as soon as possible. I'm not sure I like really
knowing people. It means that they say whatever they like to
you, and don't get up out of your favorite chair when you come
in."

"I agree," said I, "that a soupcon of unfamiliarity is not
amiss."

"Of course it's nice to be one of the family," she continued.

"The cat is that," said I. "I would not give a fig for it."

"And the Dowager taught me the ways of the house."

"Ah, she taught me the way out of it."

"And showed me how to be most disagreeable to the servants."

"It is the first lesson of a housekeeper."

"And told me what Archie particularly liked, and how bad it was
for him, poor boy."

"What should we do without our mothers? I do not, however, see
how I can help in all this, Lady Mickleham."