beasts and super-beasts(野兽与超级野兽)-第32章
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BEASTS AND SUPER…BEASTS
THE BYZANTINE OMELETTE
SOPHIE CHATTEL…MONKHEIM was a Socialist by conviction
and a Chattel…Monkheim by marriage。 The particular member of that
wealthy family whom she had married was rich； even as his relatives
counted riches。 Sophie had very advanced and decided views as to the
distribution of money： it was a pleasing and fortunate circumstance that
she also had the money。 When she inveighed eloquently against the
evils of capitalism at drawing…room meetings and Fabian conferences
she was conscious of a comfortable feeling that the system； with all its
inequalities and iniquities； would probably last her time。 It is one of
the consolations of middle…aged reformers that the good they inculcate
must live after them if it is to live at all。
On a certain spring evening； somewhere towards the dinner…hour；
Sophie sat tranquilly between her mirror and her maid； undergoing the
process of having her hair built into an elaborate reflection of the
prevailing fashion。 She was hedged round with a great peace； the peace
of one who has attained a desired end with much effort and
perseverance； and who has found it still eminently desirable in its
attainment。 The Duke of Syria had consented to come beneath her roof
as a guest； was even now installed beneath her roof； and would shortly
be sitting at her dining…table。 As a good Socialist； Sophie
disapproved of social distinctions； and derided the idea of a princely
caste； but if there were to be these artificial gradations of rank and
dignity she was pleased and anxious to have an exalted specimen of an
exalted order included in her house…party。 She was broad…minded
enough to love the sinner while hating the sin … not that she entertained
any warm feeling of personal affection for the Duke of Syria； who was a
comparative stranger； but still； as Duke of Syria； he was very； very
welcome beneath her roof。 She could not have explained why； but no
one was likely to ask her for an explanation； and most hostesses envied
her。
〃You must surpass yourself to…night； Richardson；〃 she said
complacently to her maid； 〃I must be looking my very best。 We must
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BEASTS AND SUPER…BEASTS
all surpass ourselves。〃
The maid said nothing； but from the concentrated look in her eyes
and the deft play of her fingers it was evident that she was beset with the
ambition to surpass herself。
A knock came at the door； a quiet but peremptory knock； as of some
one who would not be denied。
〃Go and see who it is；〃 said Sophie； 〃it may be something about the
wine。〃
Richardson held a hurried conference with an invisible messenger at
the door； when she returned there was noticeable a curious listlessness in
place of her hitherto alert manner。
〃What is it？〃 asked Sophie。
〃The household servants have 'downed tools；' madame；〃 said
Richardson。
〃Downed tools！〃 exclaimed Sophie； 〃do you mean to say they've
gone on strike？〃
〃Yes； madame；〃 said Richardson； adding the information： 〃It's
Gaspare that the trouble is about。〃
〃Gaspare？〃 said Sophie wanderingly； 〃the emergency chef！ The
omelette specialist！〃
〃Yes； madame。 Before he became an omelette specialist he was a
valet； and he was one of the strike… breakers in the great strike at Lord
Grimford's two years ago。 As soon as the household staff here learned
that you had engaged him they resolved to ‘down tools' as a protest。
They haven't got any grievance against you personally； but they demand
that Gaspare should be immediately dismissed。〃
〃But；〃 protested Sophie； 〃he is the only man in England who
understands how to make a Byzantine omelette。 I engaged him
specially for the Duke of Syria's visit； and it would be impossible to
replace him at short notice。 I should have to send to Paris； and the
Duke loves Byzantine omelettes。 It was the one thing we talked
about coming from the station。〃
〃He was one of the strike…breakers at Lord Grimford's；〃 reiterated
Richardson。
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BEASTS AND SUPER…BEASTS
〃This is too awful；〃 said Sophie； 〃a strike of servants at a moment
like this； with the Duke of Syria staying in the house。 Something must
be done immediately。 Quick； finish my hair and I'll go and see what I
can do to bring them round。〃
〃I can't finish your hair； madame；〃 said Richardson quietly； but with
immense decision。 〃I belong to the union and I can't do another half…
minute's work till the strike is settled。 I'm sorry to be disobliging。〃
〃But this is inhuman！〃 exclaimed Sophie tragically； 〃I've always
been a model mistress and I've refused to employ any but union servants；
and this is the result。 I can't finish my hair myself； I don't know how to。
What am I to do？ It's wicked！〃
〃Wicked is the word；〃 said Richardson； 〃I'm a good Conservative
and I've no patience with this Socialist foolery； asking your pardon。 It's
tyranny； that's what it is； all along the line； but I've my living to make；
same as other people； and I've got to belong to the union。 I couldn't
touch another hair…pin without a strike permit； not if you was to double
my wages。〃
The door burst open and Catherine Malsom raged into the room。
〃Here's a nice affair；〃 she screamed； 〃a strike of household servants
without a moment's warning； and I'm left like this！ I can't appear in
public in this condition。〃
After a very hasty scrutiny Sophie assured her that she could not。
〃Have they all struck？〃 she asked her maid。
〃Not the kitchen staff；〃 said Richardson； 〃they belong to a different
union。〃
〃Dinner at least will be assured；〃 said Sophie； 〃that is something to
be thankful for。〃
〃Dinner！〃 snorted Catherine； 〃what on earth is the good of dinner
when none of us will be able to appear at it？ Look at your hair … and
look at me！ or rather； don't。〃
〃I know it's difficult to manage without a maid； can't your husband
be any help to you？〃 asked Sophie despairingly。
〃Henry？ He's in worse case than any of us。 His man is the only
person who really understands that ridiculous new…fangled Turkish bath
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