"What's the trouble?"

"The trouble's h'ended, sir."

"Then why bother me about it?"

"I thought it would be well for you to know, sir. The servants was
going to ask for 'igher wiges to-day, sir."

"You say they were going to ask. Aren't they?" And Monty's eyes
lighted up at the thought of new possibilities.

"I convinced them, sir, as how they were getting good pay as it
is, sir, and that they ought to be satisfied. They'd be a long
time finding a better place and as good wiges. They 'aven't been
with you a week, and here they are strikin' for more pay. Really,
sir, these American servants--"

"Rawles, that'll do!" exploded Monty. The butler's chin went up
and his cheeks grew redder than ever.

"I beg pardon, sir," he gasped, with a respectful but injured air.

"Rawles, you will kindly not interfere in such matters again. It
is not only the privilege, but the duty of every American to
strike for higher pay whenever he feels like it, and I want it
distinctly understood that I am heartily in favor of their
attitude. You will kindly go back and tell them that after a
reasonable length of service their wiges--I mean wages--shall be