Sentence:  ... a rich-liveried footman was lounging in an easy chair, with his heels as high as his head ... and from this comfortable position he budged not an inch at the importunate summons .... “What!” cried the primitive and provincial serving man, “don't you answer the drawing-room bell?” “Not unless they "persewere",” was the cool response of his <WSD>footmanship</WSD>. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  The post or position of footman; the skill or art of a footman.