Ralph, with his experimental geniality,
suggested, by way of healing the breach, that the truth lay between
the two extremes and that the establishments in question ought to be
described as fair middling. 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. "If that's the way you desire to treat
them, no wonder you don't like America."
"If you've not good servants you're miserable," Mrs.
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