'What kindled it?' I was about to ask, but at that
moment the butler entered and began to take away the
things.

'Be quick, Benson; do have done with that infernal
clatter!' cried his master. 'And don't bring the cheese,
unless you want to make me sick outright!'

Benson, in some surprise, removed the cheese, and did
his best to effect a quiet and speedy clearance of the rest;
but, unfortunately, there was a rumple in the carpet, caused
by the hasty pushing back of his master's chair, at which he
tripped and stumbled, causing a rather alarming concussion
with the trayful of crockery in his hands, but no positive
damage, save the fall and breaking of a sauce tureen; but, to
my unspeakable shame and dismay, Arthur turned furiously
around upon him, and swore at him with savage coarseness.
The poor man turned pale, and visibly trembled as he stooped
to pick up the fragments.

'He couldn't help it, Arthur,' said I; 'the carpet caught
his foot, and there's no great harm done. Never mind the
pieces now, Benson; you can clear them away after.
wards.'

Glad to be released, Benson expeditiously set out the
dessert and withdrew.

'What could you mean, Helen, by taking the servant's
part against me,' said Arthur, as soon as the door was
closed, 'when you knew I was distracted?'

'I did not know you were distracted, Arthur: and the
poor man was quite frightened and hurt at your sudden
explosion.'

'Poor man, indeed I and do you think I could stop to
consider the feelings of an insensate brute like that, when my
own nerves were racked and torn to pieces by his confounded
blunders?'

'I never heard you complain of your nerves before.'

'And why shouldn't I have nerves as well as you?'

'Oh, I don't dispute your claim to their possession, but I
never complain of mine.'

-257-