the rest. Parkins! didn't I tell you I didn't want any sugar or
cream."

Parkins hadn't offered any. He had only forgotten to remove them
from the tray.

Jack kept straight on; these differences between the master and
Parkins were of daily occurrence.

"And, Uncle Arthur, I met the most wonderful gentleman I ever saw;
he looked just as if he had stepped out of an old frame, and yet
he is down in the Street every day and--"

"What firm?"

"No firm, he is--"

"Curbstone man, then?" Here Breen lifted the cup to his lips and
as quickly put it down. "Parkins!"

"Yes, sir," came the monotone.

"Why the devil can't I get my coffee hot?"

"Is it cold, sir?"--slight modulation, but still lifeless.

"IS IT COLD? Of course it's cold! Might have been standing in a
morgue. Take that down and have some fresh coffee sent up.
Servants running oer each other and yet I can't get a--Go on,
Jack! I didn't mean to interrupt, but I'll clean the whole lot of