And then when Celia wants to come in she will warn me in the old-fashioned way with her knuckles ... and I shall have time to do something about it.
OTHER PEOPLE'S HOUSES
THE PARTING GUEST
When nice people ask me to their houses for the week-end, I reply that I shall be delighted to come, but that pressure of work will prevent my staying beyond Tuesday. Sometimes, in spite of this, they try to kick me out on the Monday; and if I find that they are serious about it I may possibly consent to go by an evening train. In any case, it always seems to me a pity to have to leave a house just as you are beginning to know your way to the bathroom.
"Is the 9.25 too early for you?" said Charles on Sunday night à propos of nothing that I had said.
"Not if it's in the evening," I answered.