At first I used to try politeness.

I would say: "It is nothing; don't you trouble.

You ride on, and enjoy yourself, I beg it of you as a favour; please go away." Experience has taught me, however, that courtesy is of no use in such an extremity.

Now I say: "You go away and leave the thing alone, or I will knock your silly head off." And if you look determined, and have a good stout cudgel in your hand, you can generally drive him off.
George came in later in the day.

He said: "Well, do you think everything will be ready ?" I said: "Everything will be ready by Wednesday, except, perhaps, you and Harris." He said: "Is the tandem all right ?" "The tandem," I said, "is well." He said: "You don't think it wants overhauling ?" I replied: "Age and experience have taught me that there are few matters concerning which a man does well to be positive.