I never seemed in his way; he did not take fits of chilling hauteur: when he met me unexpectedly, the encounter seemed welcome; he had always a word and sometimes a smile for me: when summoned by formal invitation to his presence, I was honoured by a cordiality of reception that made me feel I really possessed the power to amuse him, and that these evening conferences were sought as much for his pleasure as for my benefit.
Siempre reservaba para mí una palabra amable y una sonrisa. Cuando me invitaba a reunirme con él, me acogía con una cordialidad que me llevaba a pensar que realmente debía de poseer la facultad de divertirle y que aquellas conversaciones durante las veladas debían de agradarle a él tanto como a mí.