Arthur snapped shut The Times with a sharp sound: "When all is peaceful, they think I'm too dirty like an old rag, but when things go wrong, they still have to pick me up to clean their tables, don't they?"
Blackwell considered that if Sir Arthur were willing to lower himself to act at Drury Lane, there might be no room for William Macready; Arthur Hastings was truly Britain's national-level actor, so deeply immersed in his role.
Blackwell saw that Arthur was unwilling to leak any information, so he had to trust that Arthur had made a rational decision regarding the Russian delegation issue this time.
He changed the subject: "Then... Sir Arthur, do I need to make early arrangements for this afternoon's schedule?"
Arthur took out his pocket watch and glanced at it, seemingly calculating when it would be time for lunch.
