The Remains of the Day - By Kazuo Ishiguro Page 0,88
he must long ago have become familiar with. I conveyed his lordship’s message and asked him what refreshment I might bring him.
‘Oh, just some tea for now, Stevens. Who’s his lordship expecting tonight?’
‘I’m sorry, sir, I’m afraid I am unable to help you.’
‘No idea at all?’
‘I’m sorry, sir.’
‘Hmm, curious. Oh, well. Better keep my head low tonight.’
It was not long after this, I recall, that I went down to Miss Kenton’s parlour. She was sitting at her table, though there was nothing before her and her hands were empty; indeed, something in her demeanour suggested she had been sitting there like that for some time prior to my knocking.
‘Mr Cardinal is here, Miss Kenton,’ I said. ‘He’ll be requiring his usual room tonight.’
‘Very good, Mr Stevens. I shall see to it before I leave.’
‘Ah. You are going out this evening, Miss Kenton?’
‘I am indeed, Mr Stevens.’
Perhaps I looked a little surprised, for she went on: ‘You will recall, Mr Stevens, we discussed this a fortnight ago.’
‘Yes, of course, Miss Kenton. I beg your pardon, it had just slipped my mind for the moment.’
‘Is something the matter, Mr Stevens?’
‘Not at all, Miss Kenton. Some visitors are expected this evening, but there is no reason why your presence will be required.’
‘We did agree to my taking this evening off a fortnight ago, Mr Stevens.’
‘Of course, Miss Kenton. I do beg your pardon.’
I turned to leave, but then I was halted at the door by Miss Kenton saying:
‘Mr Stevens, I have something to tell you.’
‘Yes, Miss Kenton?’
‘It concerns my acquaintance. Who I am going to meet tonight.’
‘Yes, Miss Kenton.’
‘He has asked me to marry him. I thought you had a right to know that.’
‘Indeed, Miss Kenton. That is very interesting.’
‘I am still giving the matter thought.’
‘Indeed.’
She glanced down a second at her hands, but then almost immediately her gaze returned to me. ‘My acquaintance is to start a job in the West Country as of next month.’
‘Indeed.’
‘As I say, Mr Stevens, I am still giving the matter some thought. However, I thought you should be informed of the situation.’
‘I’m very grateful, Miss Kenton. I do hope you have a pleasant evening. Now if you will excuse me.’
It must have been twenty minutes or so later that I encountered Miss Kenton again, this time while I was busy with preparations for dinner. In fact, I was half-way up the back staircase, carrying a fully laden tray, when I heard the sound of angry footsteps rattling the floorboards somewhere below me. Turning, I saw Miss Kenton glaring up at me from the foot of the stairs.
‘Mr Stevens, do I understand that you are wishing me to remain on duty this evening?’
‘Not at all, Miss Kenton. As you pointed out, you did notify me some time ago.’
‘But I can see you are very unhappy about my going out tonight.’
‘On the contrary, Miss Kenton.’
‘Do you imagine that by creating so much commotion in the kitchen and by stamping back and forth like this outside my parlour you will get me to change my mind?’
‘Miss Kenton, the slight excitement in the kitchen is solely on account of Mr Cardinal coming to dinner at the last moment. There is absolutely no reason why you should not go out this evening.’
‘I intend to go with or without your blessing, Mr Stevens, I wish to make this clear. I made arrangements weeks ago.’
‘Indeed, Miss Kenton. And once again, I would wish you a very pleasant evening.’
At dinner, an odd atmosphere seemed to hang in the air between the two gentlemen. For long moments, they ate in silence, his lordship in particular seeming very far away. At one point, Mr Cardinal said:
‘Something special tonight, sir?’
‘Eh?’
‘Your visitors this evening. Special?’
‘Afraid I can’t tell you, my boy. Strictly confidential.’
‘Oh dear. I suppose this means I shouldn’t sit in on it.’
‘Sit in on what, my boy?’
‘Whatever it is that’s going to take place tonight?’
‘Oh, it wouldn’t be of any interest to you. In any case, confidentiality is of the utmost. Can’t have someone like you around. Oh no, that wouldn’t do at all.’
‘Oh, dear. This does sound very special.’
Mr Cardinal was watching his lordship very keenly, but the latter simply went back to his food without saying anything further.
The gentlemen retired to the smoking room for port and cigars. In the course of clearing the dining room, and also in preparing the drawing room for the arrival of the evening’s visitors, I was obliged to walk repeatedly past the smoking-room doors. It was inevitable, then,