Дживс, вы – гений! / Thank you, Jeeves!

“I am temporarily in retirement,” I replied. “I needed a place where I could play the banjolele in solitude, and I took this cottage.”

“What cottage?”

“I’ve got a cottage down by the harbour.”

“You must have been surprised to see us.”

“I was.”

“More surprised than pleased, eh?”

“Well, of course, I’m always delighted to meet you, but when it comes to your father and old Glossop…”

“He’s not one of your greatest admirers, is he? But you saw father’s face when he noticed you. He’s convinced that I’m still in love with you.”

“You don’t mean that?”

“I do, honestly.”

“But, dash it—”

“It’s true, I tell you. He looks on himself as the stern Victorian father who has parted the young lovers and must keep them from getting together again. He does not know that you never had a happier moment in your life than when you got my letter.”

“No, I say!”

“Bertie, be honest. You were delighted.”

“I wouldn’t say that. I always esteemed you most highly.”

“You did what? Where do you pick up these expressions?”

“Well, I suppose from Jeeves, mostly. He had a fine vocabulary.”

“Where is he now?”

“He’s left me. He didn’t like me playing the banjolele. He is now with Chuffy.”

“Chuffy?”

“Lord Chuffnell.”

“Oh?”

There was a pause. She sat listening for a moment to a couple of birds who were having an argument in a nearby tree.

“Have you known Lord Chuffnell long?” she asked.

“Oh, rather.”

“You’re great friends?”

“Yes, we are.”

“Good. I hoped you were. I wanted to talk to you about him. I can confide in you, can’t I, Bertie?”

“Of course.”

“I knew I could. Tell me about Marmaduke[51 - Marmaduke – Мармадьюк].”

“I don’t think I know him.”

“Lord Chuffnell, idiot.”

“Is his name Marmaduke? Really? Well, well! What? Marmaduke!” I said, laughing heartily. “I remember he was always evasive and secretive about it at school.”

She seemed annoyed.

“It’s a beautiful name!”

I looked at her. This, I felt, must mean something. Nobody would say Marmaduke was a beautiful name wantonly and without good reason.

“Hallo!” I said. “Hallo, hallo, hallo! Hallo! You love this… ha, ha! Excuse me… this Marmaduke?”

“I’m crazy about him.”

“Good! Well, if what you say is really so, be prepared. He is deeply enamoured of you.”

She wiggled her shoulder impatiently.

“I know that, you chump. Do you think a girl can’t tell?”

I was frankly surprised.

“Well, if he loves you and you love him, I can’t understand what you want more.”

“Why, can’t you understand? He’s obviously in love about me, but he is silent.”

“He does not speak?”

“Not a syllable.”

“Well, why would—Naturally he wouldn’t say anything yet. Give the man a chance. He’s only known you five days.”

“I sometimes feel that he was a king in Babylon when I was a Christian slave.”

“What makes you think that?”

“I don’t know.”