This man Merkle seemed quite unaware that humanity "here and now"--
even as he was engaged in meticulously putting out Benham's clothes--
was "leaving its ancestral shelters and going out upon the
greatest adventure that ever was in space or time." If he had been
told as much by Benham he would probably have said, "Indeed, sir,"
and proceeded accurately with his duties. And if Benham's voice had
seemed to call for any additional remark, he would probably have
added, "It's 'igh time, sir, something of the sort was done. Will
you have the white wesket as before, sir, or a fresh one this
evening? . . . Unless it's a very special occasion, sir. . . .
Exactly, sir. THANK you, sir."
And when her son was properly installed in his apartments Lady
Marayne came round one morning with a large experienced-looking
portfolio and rendered an account of her stewardship of his estate
that was already some months overdue. It was all very confused and
confusing, and there were inexplicable incidents, a heavy overdraft
at the bank for example, but this was Sir Godfrey's fault, she
explained.
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