That's one of my objections to domestic service; it creates an artificial barrier between man and man; but I know that the barrier is part of the business, while the business is going on, and I've no quarrel with social convention, as such.

But even when they are alone with me--and I'm referring to Baines now as much as to Thomas--they are very uncommunicative.

I met Thomas on the road to the village the other day and could hardly get a word out of him till I began to talk about cricket and ask him about it.' 'He is probably a stupid boy,' said Helen, 'and you frighten him.' 'If you say that, it's an indictment on the whole system, you know,' said Franklin very gravely.
'What system ?' Helen asked, opening her letters, but looking at Mr.
Kane.
'The system that makes some people afraid of others,' said Franklin.
'It will always frighten inferior people to be talked to by their superiors as if they were on a level.

You probably talk to Thomas about things he doesn't understand, and it bewilders him.' Helen, willing to enlighten his idealism, smiled mildly at him, glancing down at her letters as she spoke.
Mr.Kane surveyed her with his bright, steady gaze.

Her simple elucidation evidently left him far from satisfied, either with her or the system.