Giving the parties remaining the option
of shutting, or not, as suits their fancy, . . 2

That by leaving the door open, you do not
commit yourself to a determinate act, . . . . . 2
--
16

FOR SHUTTING.

That a cold wind may not blow into the room;
but this not probable, for it will be easy
for those remaining in the apartment to rise
and shut the door themselves, . . . . . . . . . 1

That by a faint possibility you may give
offence by leaving the door open, . . . . . . . 1

That you may prevent persons outside overhearing
what is said; this of small account, for people
should not speak about things they do not wish
to be repeated, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
--
3

Deducting 3 from 16, 13 remain. Result--balance of 13-19ths in favour of
not shutting the door. Nothing, therefore, could be more clearly
demonstrated than that the Scotch are strongly justified in leaving the
door open when they quit an apartment. Doubts, indeed, may be
entertained as to the values arbitrarily put on the respective items in