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Chapter 20
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ThisseemedratherpersonalandtwiceIcaughtmyselflookingintheglassofthecheffonière;forIhadonatiethathookedon—andwhynot?Iftheseremarkswerenotpersonaltheywererathercareless,andsoweresomeofhissubsequentobservations,whichmusthavemadebothMr.Franchingandhisguestsratheruncomfortable.Idon’tthinkMr.Huttlemeanttobepersonal,forheadded;“Wedon’tknowthatclasshereinthiscountry:butwedoinAmerica,andI’venouseforthem.”
Franchingseveraltimessuggestedthatthewineshouldbepassedroundthetable,whichMr.Huttledidnotheed;butcontinuedasifheweregivingalecture:
“WhatwewantinAmericaisyourhomes.Weliveonwheels.Yoursimple,quietlifeandhome,Mr.Franching,arecharming.Nodisplay,nopretension!Youmakenodifferenceinyourdinner,Idaresay,whenyousitdownbyyourselfandwhenyouinviteus.Youhaveyourownpersonalattendant—nohiredwaitertobreatheonthebackofyourhead.”
IsawFranchingpalpablywinceatthis.
Mr.Huttlecontinued:“Justasmalldinnerwithafewgoodthings,suchasyouhavethisevening.Youdon’tinsultyourguestsbysendingtothegrocerforchampagneatsixshillingsabottle.”
Icouldnothelpthinkingof“JacksonFrères”atthree-and-six!
“Infact,”saidMr.Huttle,“amanislittlelessthanamurdererwhodoes.Thatistheprovinceofthemilksop,whowasteshiseveningathomeplayingdominoeswithhiswife.I’veheardofthesepeople.Wedon’twantthematthistable.
