Not Good Form.
Care for what one says ought always to be exercised, without regard to whether or not it may be heard by those for whom it is not intended. Here is a story that emphasizes this lesson:
An officer of the Law Division of the New York Custom-house walked into the Collector's office a few days ago, while the Collector was talking with a tall man, whose back was turned toward the door.
"What is it?" asked the Collector. "Anything important?"
"Oh no," returned the officer. "Only another blunder in the long list of blunders committed by that Secretary of the Treasury of ours." The tall man laughed.
"Mr. Blank," said the Collector, "let me introduce you to Mr. Carlisle, Secretary of the Treasury."
The Secretary turned, still laughing, and shook the hand of the law officer, who, red in the face, stammered a half-heard apology—and got out as quickly as possible.