not even improper

“Fleming did most of the talking. He ended up by asking us if we knew the definition of a gentleman. He waited and then said slowly:

‘A gentleman is a person who uses the butter-knife when he’s alone.’

He looked at us triumphantly and we tried to force a laugh. My growing dislike crystallized. It was degrading to have to laugh at anything so suburban and B.B.C. It wasn’t even improper, and I’d been preparing my face for something dirty!

I turned to Paul, saying it was time to get ready for dinner.”

(Denton Welch, Maiden Voyage, p. 100.)

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