There is no alarm clock like embarassment.

“I hope you will understand it! Linnaeus says the plants get married and make ne…”

“Thank you for your bounty, Oleander, Prince of Poisons, I think. Thank you for …”

“Only a fool takes offense at the truth, Jessamine. They are awful, of that ther…”

“Truth, terrible truth! It is like an ancient curse, from which there is no esca…”