"No, you won't, Miss Thornton. Leave her alone. It ain't much
company for a young girl like her just to wait on an old woman like
me; and William seems a nice young man. I like him, Miss Thornton,
but I jest can't bear the sight of James."

Daphne turned quickly.

"Has James been impertinent to you?"

Drusilla shook her head.

"No, not at all. I wish he would be impudent or _anything_ except
jest stand around and look grand. He don't approve of me, Miss
Thornton--even his back when he leaves the dining-room says he don't
approve of me. I never seen a back that can say so much as his'n."

"Well, if you don't like him I will speak to Father and he will get
another butler."

"No, don't do that. He don't do nothin' to lose his place for; and
I'd hate to have to git used to another back. He never says a word,
but he jest _looks_; but perhaps he'll git over it, or I'll git
used to it, or maybe when I git more used to things I'll talk to him
and ask him if he can't be a little more human, instead of lookin'
like the chief mourner at a funeral. It sometimes makes me feel that
I'm dead and he's takin' the last look."

Daphne laughed.

"Oh, that's his way. He's English, you know, and English servants