I went into the bath-room one morning to make my toilet, and carelessly left the door two or three inches ajar.

It was the first time that I had ever failed to take the precaution of closing it tightly.

I knew the necessity of being particular about this, because shaving was always a trying ordeal for me, and I could seldom carry it through to a finish without verbal helps.

Now this time I was unprotected, but did not suspect it.

I had no extraordinary trouble with my razor on this occasion, and was able to worry through with mere mutterings and growlings of an improper sort, but with nothing noisy or emphatic about them--no snapping and barking.
Then I put on a shirt.