"And that's what you consider a neat solution?" I said.
"Yes, sir. Mr. Little will now retain his position as desired."
"And what about me?"
"You are also benefited, sir."
"Oh, I am, am I?"
"Yes, sir. I have ascertained that Mrs. Gregson's motive in inviting
you to this house was that she might present you to Mr. Filmer with a
view to your becoming his private secretary."
"What!"
"Yes, sir. Purvis, the butler, chanced to overhear Mrs. Gregson in
conversation with Mr. Filmer on the matter."
"Secretary to that super-fatted bore! Jeeves, I could never have
survived it."
"No, sir. I fancy you would not have found it agreeable. Mr. Filmer is
scarcely a congenial companion for you. Yet, had Mrs. Gregson secured
the position for you, you might have found it embarrassing to decline
to accept it."
"'Embarrassing' is right!"
"Yes, sir."
"But, I say, Jeeves, there's just one point which you seem to have
overlooked. Where exactly do I get off?"
"Sir?"
"I mean to say, Aunt Agatha sent word by Purvis just now that she
wanted to see me. Probably she's polishing up her hatchet at this very
moment."
"It might be the most judicious plan not to meet her, sir."
"But how can I help it?"
"There is a good, stout waterpipe running down the wall immediately
outside this window, sir. And I could have the two-seater waiting
outside the park gates in twenty minutes."