Whereas a nice, well-brought-up lady”—he inclined his head deferentially—“can stay ten years in a room and it looks exactly the same as when she came there! The property value doesn’t change at all!” I felt relieved, because I was sure I would manage not to break the windows, and it was pleasant to receive what was clearly intended as a compliment. At the same time, there was something disquieting in the image of a well-brought-up lady staying ten years in a room without leaving a visible trace.
