This contribution to the discussion, however, Miss Stackpole rejected with scorn.

Middling indeed! If they were not the best in the world they were the worst, but there was nothing middling about an American hotel.
"We judge from different points of view, evidently," said Mrs.Touchett.
"I like to be treated as an individual; you like to be treated as a 'party.'" "I don't know what you mean," Henrietta replied.

"I like to be treated as an American lady." "Poor American ladies!" cried Mrs.Touchett with a laugh.

"They're the slaves of slaves." "They're the companions of freemen," Henrietta retorted.
"They're the companions of their servants--the Irish chambermaid and the negro waiter.

They share their work." "Do you call the domestics in an American household 'slaves' ?" Miss Stackpole enquired.