It is an easy error to make,' I said with a small smile. 'May I ask you, Miss Kenton, to refer to my father as "Mr Stevens" in future? I would be very grateful.'
I returned to my work but, to my surprise, Miss Kenton did not leave. 'Excuse me, Mr Stevens,' she said after a moment.
'Yes, Miss Kenton.'
'I'm afraid I don't quite understand. I'm accustomed to using the servants' first names. It is usual, I believe.'
'A most understandable error, Miss Kenton. However, you must understand that you are speaking to my father, not just another servant.'
'I still don't understand, Mr Stevens. I believe I am the housekeeper of this house, while your father is the under-butler.'
'He is of course the under-butler, as you say. But I am surprised that you have not noticed that he is, in fact, much more than that.'
'I have obviously been very unobservant, Mr Stevens. I have only noticed that your father is an excellent under-butler.'