The Shadow of Great Britain

172: Chapter 123 Starting with a Score of 1-0_2 172: Chapter 123 Starting with a Score of 1-0_2 ——And when a gentleman spots a female acquaintance, he must not approach her to greet her first, but instead, he must wait for the lady to recognize him and then, using the hand farthest from the lady, remove his hat as a salutation.

——Note: If the lady extends her hand, it is considered an invitation, and the gentleman should then accompany the lady rather than standing still, to avoid embarrassment for both.

Their conversation must also not be too passionate or loud, but rather held within the boundaries of proper etiquette, with speech as concise as possible to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and irreparable damage to both parties’ reputations.

——A gentleman should not smoke in front of a lady, and a lady should also not approach gentlemen while they are smoking, as this may cause them to extinguish a fine cigar, both being considered inappropriate behaviors.

Arthur, upon reading this, couldn’t help but pull out his own pipe and take a look, muttering to himself, “Luckily mine are cheaper.”

And as his gaze continued downward, he finally began to understand why the Rothschild family’s old butler had strongly recommended when he visited that he hire a few experienced servants.

——If the reader of this book moves to a new residence, especially to an upper-class neighborhood, they should remember to send their servants to visit the neighbors and leave a calling card in their mailboxes.

——Usually, the recipient of the card will also return the gesture with a card or even visit the residence within a week, which will help enhance your reputation and influence in the local social circle.

——If a lady moves to a new residence, or if the adult men in the family are unable to pay visits to the new neighbors, the lady should go by carriage, with male servants carrying the cards to hand them over to the masters of the house.

——Married ladies who have changed their surname should carry a calling card with their name, two with their husband’s name, and, if there are unmarried daughters or tenants in the home, their cards should also be presented.

——Note: The name of the unmarried daughters should be written beneath their mother’s on the card.

Arthur, looking at these dense rules, felt chills running up and down his body.

It seemed integrating into the upper social circles and expanding his sources of information and influence was far more difficult than he had imagined.

He closed the book and rubbed his sore eyes.

Agares was sitting across from him with his legs crossed, “So?

Finished reading already?”

Arthur shook his head quite honestly, “I’m not as skilled at reading and memorizing as you think, especially with this stuff about intricate etiquette, it’s already quite an accomplishment that I can get through it.”

The Red Devil snapped his fingers upon hearing this, and suddenly he had a thorny vine in his hand which he seemed to regard as a teaching stick.

The Red Devil, dissatisfied, tapped on the cover of the “London Social Guide,” prompting, “Arthur, this won’t do.

If you can’t handle a Cordington party, how will you ever make it into the balls at Almack’s Club?

Besides this, you still need to learn to dance—the German Waltz, Viennese Waltz, French Quadrille, and Salon Dance, the British Regency dance, Scottish reel…

Oh yes, you’d better also learn the traditional British male dances—the Ancient Roman Sword Dance and Morris Dance.

These two are just right for a Swordsmanship Master like you who has both strength and skill.”

Arthur said helplessly, “I’ll learn them gradually.

After all, this is my first time, and didn’t the old butler of the Rothschild family mention that Mrs.

Cordington is one of the members of the Bluestocking Society?”

The Bluestocking Society has always been tolerant towards young scientists and even granted scientists certain privileges; after all, I’ve even been allowed to wear blue stockings to a banquet.

A minor slip-up in etiquette shouldn’t be a problem.

Moreover, Eld will also be there tonight, won’t he?

Though that boy is always offbeat, he’s still the young master of the Carter family and a member of the Nobility; he’s bound to be crystal clear about the basic social etiquettes.

In case of any doubt, I can just ask him.

Upon hearing this, the Red Devil couldn’t help but cover his mouth and snicker, “Are you sure, Arthur?”

Arthur, who had held some expectations for Eld, felt his confidence wane after the Red Devil questioned him like that.

He has always preferred to rely on his own knowledge and strength to get things done.

Seeking help from others was new to him, and the fact that Eld was his first recourse made Arthur feel all the more uneasy.

He covered his forehead, grinding his teeth as he said, “In the East, there’s a saying ‘Every talent has its use,’ and the Western ‘Bible’ also records, ‘When God closes a door, he will open another.’ Eld can’t possibly be an exception outside of both Eastern and Western systems, can he?”

The Red Devil didn’t respond to his words; instead, he spun on the spot and in a blink, he was clad in a detail-oriented black suit.

He straightened the red bowtie around his neck and said to Arthur.

“Considering social etiquette and the degree of your relationship with Cordington, I suggest you arrive at Cordington’s estate between half past three and four o’clock this afternoon.

My prices are quite fair, one dance for one soul.

A crash course in social etiquette will be slightly more expensive, ten Souls and I’ll have it sorted for you.

If your balance is insufficient, I can also accept credit; however, interest must be calculated.”

As he spoke, the Red Devil rolled up his sleeves and glanced at his wristwatch, smiling as he said, “Don’t rush, Arthur.

You still have two and a half hours to think it over.”

Arthur looked at Agares and couldn’t help but shake his head, “Agares, if you keep this up, I won’t be able to afford you before long.”

The Red Devil brought his hands together in front of his chest, feigning admiration, “Oh!

My dear Arthur, you really shouldn’t underestimate yourself.

If you can be ruthless enough, you, my little scoundrel, are unbeatable.”

“Unbeatable?”

Arthur shook his head, raising his hand to point out the window at the factory that was barely visible, and outside on the muddy ground, a group of workers with faces filled with smiles and specks of mud kicked at a soccer ball—Arthur’s destination for this journey.

He had specifically come here to tally the weapons and ammunition, such as guns, that had been stored here by the Greenwich Police District during the workers’ riot a few days ago.

The Red Devil glanced outside, “Isn’t that just a group of workers from the Woolwich Arsenal kicking a ball around for fun?

Why are you pointing them out?”

Arthur, with a helpless shrug, replied, “As far as I know and remember, I am not unbeatable.

But the soccer team formed by the workers of the Woolwich Arsenal, their ‘Arsenal,’ now that is unbeatable.”