The Pleasure Merchant
“He might have overdone it a bit, actually, but he did not want the man harboring a grudge; Tom hated to think he’d lost all the ground he might have gained by making himself pleasant and cheerful.Holland assured him that he wasn’t displeased with Tom at all. His first duty was to Mr. Bewit, as he put it, and if Tom’s unique expertise helped him better please the man, well, that was wonderful. Holland was perfectly polite about it… but Tom suspected it wouldn’t be the end of the matter, even after several days of unforced cordiality between valet and cup-bearer.Unfortunately, the results of Tom’s indiscretion did end up materializing… but as a change in the other servants toward him. Tom could not fail to notice that where the staff had been friendly, they now treated him more like a visitor and less as one of their number. Even Mrs. Jervis seemed distant. Tom was curious just what Holland had told them—for he was sure that must be the source of the coolness—but decided to carry on as normal.
Write Review:
Guest
Read Also
7 / 10
User Reviews: