They are rather acute judges of good breeding, and men and maids were at one on the fact that he was a visitor who conferred social distinction on the establishment.
They had decided that we should "dine late so long as The Gentleman" was with us, whilst my mother was thinking how to break so weighty an innovation to such valuable servants.

They served him with alacrity, and approved of his brief orders and gracious thanks.

The Colonel did unheard-of things with impunity--threw open his bedroom shutters at night, and more than once unbarred and unbolted the front door to go outside for a late cigar.

Nothing puzzled Martha more than the nattiness with which he put all the bolts and bars back into their places, as if he had been used to the door as long as she had.
Indeed he had all that power of making himself at home, which is most fully acquired by having had to provide for yourself in strange places, but he carried it too far.
One day he penetrated into the kitchen (having previously been rummaging the kitchen-garden) and insisted upon teaching our cook how to make curry.

The lesson was much needed, and it was equally well intended, but it was a mistake.