Given that there is a door which may or may not be shut on quitting an
apartment, let it be shewn by the rules of arithmetic whether it would
be preferable to shut the said door or leave it open. Write down, first,
the arguments for not shutting, according to their supposed value; then
do the same for the arguments _per contra_; lastly, sum up both, and
strike the balance. Thus--

FOR NOT SHUTTING.

Because the door is apt to slam,
which would be exceedingly
unpleasant, and might suggest the idea
that you went out in a passion--valued as . . . 4

If it did not slam, it might still make
a creaking noise--valued as . . . . . . . . . . 2

Supposing it to make no noise at all,
the impression is conveyed that you are
going away never to return, whereas you
have no such intention, . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Chances of your causing a noise to disturb
the company on opening the door when you
return, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Probable loss of character by conveying
the notion, that you are peremptory and
abrupt in manners, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3