"For the first time, sir," he had hastened to add, "I feel it an honour
to be Toff, when _you_ speak to me." Asking everybody whom he met if
they could recommend a servant to him, Amelius had put the question,
when Toff came in one morning with the hot water. The old Frenchman
made a low bow, expressive of devotion. "I know of but one man, sir,
whom I can safely recommend," he answered--"take me." Amelius was
delighted; he had only one objection to make. "I don't want to keep two
servants," he said, while Toff was helping him on with his
dressing-gown. "Why should you keep two servants, sir?" the Frenchman
inquired. Amelius answered, "I can't ask you to make the beds." "Why
not?" said Toff--and made the bed, then and there, in five minutes. He
ran out of the room, and came back with one of the chambermaid's
brooms. "Judge for yourself, sir--can I sweep a carpet?" He placed a
chair for Amelius. "Permit me to save you the trouble of shaving
yourself. Are you satisfied? Very good. I am equally capable of cutting
your hair, and attending to your corns (if you suffer, sir, from that
inconvenience). Will you allow me to propose something which you have
not had yet for your breakfast?" In half an hour more, he brought in
the new dish.
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