“Yes.” he replied before taking her coat and leading her to the dining room.
“Marie!”
“Francine!”
“How nice to see you!”
Blah blah blah… they sat and chatted. Charles poured the wine. Francine thanked him, as did his mother, before she gestured with her hand. Charles knew what the gesture meant; go but don’t leave. He stands by the door, feet close together, hands gently clasped in front and eyes facing forwards. One of the fact sheets his mother had put together says that a servant should stand silent and still, looking at nothing in particular and listening to no one in particular. He mustn’t allow himself to daydream, nor should he fidget or otherwise draw attention to himself. His sole duty is to await instruction.