Up until recently maintained as a museum, the childhood home of the Braddock family has been pressed into service as classroom space for the University. Additionally, the increased demands have led to the main ballroom being converted into a cafeteria for University students on a meal plan. The old library has been bolstered with college textbooks.
"Yes you may, Basil." He was, of course, always welcome to speak his mind. But Colette found that he seemed happier when she gave him permission rather than her insisting he was free.
"You yourself don't speak very plainly Madame Rosenhof. Perhaps that's what attracted me to you. It's a very British behavior.
Perhaps your roommate prefers a more direct approach to problem solving. Instead of suggesting alternate ideas that have the ulterior motive of benefiting you, perhaps you should simply ask her politely to stop doing whatever it is that's offensive, and problem solve the solution as the second step.
I find that polite honesty is always appreciated, passive aggression or beating around the bush less so."
Colette considered the question. "You're going to have lunches with me, and talk with me on the phone in the evening, and send me texts at random times when you have some little thought you want to share. Occasionally we'll go out to a restaurant or a movie. And you've got a house to work on renovating... imagine what surprises wait in store for me in just a few weeks. It sounds to me like you've got so much on your plate the question isn't what you're going to do, but when you're going to find time to sleep."