My Adventure in Norfolk

I don't know how it is with you, but during February _my_ wife generally
says to me: "Have you thought at all about what we are going to do for
August?" And, of course, I say, "No," and then she begins looking
through the advertisements of bungalows to let.

Well, this happened last year, as usual, and she eventually produced one
that looked possible. It said: "Norfolk--Hickling Broad--Furnished
Bungalow--Garden--Garage, Boathouse," and all the rest of it--Oh--_and_
plate and linen. It also mentioned an exorbitant rent. I pointed out the
bit about the rent, but my wife said: "Yes, you'll have to go down and
see the landlord, and get him to come down. They always do." As a matter
of fact, they always don't, but that's a detail.

Anyway, I wrote off to the landlord and asked if he could arrange for me
to stay the night in the place to see what it was really like. He wrote
back and said: "Certainly," and that he was engaging Mrs. So-and-So to
come in and "oblige me," and make up the beds and so forth.

I tell you, we do things thoroughly in our family--I have to sleep in
all the beds, and when I come home my wife counts the bruises and
decides whether they will do or not.