But it was perfectly evident that to neither side was the situation in the slightest degree embarrassing.

Dr.Leete addressed the young man in a tone devoid, of course, as any gentleman's would be, of superciliousness, but at the same time not in any way deprecatory, while the manner of the young man was simply that of a person intent on discharging correctly the task he was engaged in, equally without familiarity or obsequiousness.

It was, in fact, the manner of a soldier on duty, but without the military stiffness.

As the youth left the room, I said, "I cannot get over my wonder at seeing a young man like that serving so contentedly in a menial position." "What is that word 'menial'?
I never heard it," said Edith.
"It is obsolete now," remarked her father.

"If I understand it rightly, it applied to persons who performed particularly disagreeable and unpleasant tasks for others, and carried with it an implication of contempt.