The Remains of the Day

by Kazuo Ishiguro

It is sometimes said that butlers only truly exist in England. Other countries, whatever title is actually used, have only manservants. I tend to believe this is true. Continentals are unable to be butlers because they are as a breed incapable of the emotional restraint which only the English race are capable of.

There was surely nothing to indicate at the time that such evidently small incidents would render whole dreams forever irredeemable.