Fortunately in these days, even among the most polished, this special branch of cultivation was rather old-fashioned, Miss Clinker reflected, but still, as Mr.Derringham seemed determined to wander along this line (Arabella had unconsciously appropriated some apt Americanisms during her three years of bondage), she must be loyal and not allow her employer to commit any blunders.

So she got her facts crystallized, or "tabloided," as Mrs.Cricklander would mentally have characterized the process, and then she began her letter to her parent.

Mrs.Clinker, an Irishwoman and the widow of a learned Dean, understood a number of things, and was clear-headed and humorous, for all her seventy years, and these passages in her daughter's letter amused her.
We are entertaining a number of distinguished visitors, and among them Mr.John Derringham, the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

He is a most interesting personality, as perfectly sure of what he wants in life as is M.E.( M.E.stood for "My Employer"-- names were invidious).

They would be a perfect match, each as selfish as the other, I should say.