Possible Clues:

• Likely to notice a departed retainer?
• Bishop taken in by old maid perhaps following religion
• Jack leaves post with footman possibly taking things in
• Old maid, for example, wrapping book and exercising vigilance
• Sharp odour rising over skivvy
• Retainer given to old boy for paying attention
• Paying attention to maid after she died
• Quick at noticing things, attentive