Not Quite to My Liking, But Suitable

 London, 1870

  I have just taken a new fellow into my service. That idle John let my shaving-water cool two degrees  this morning, so of course I have dismissed him. This new man is rather lively, which does not suit my tastes completely, but as he craves a tranquil life I have given him a chance. He seems to have done many things in the course of his life in France, of which country he is a native.



  His name is Jean, while he gives his last name as Passepartout. Though he seems to want to forget it, I am  determined to call him so. It suits me, and I hope he will become reconciled to it, for it is unpleasant to have
someone in the house who discontented simply because he cannot be called what he likes.

  Passepartout has not accompanied me to the Club of course. He has remained at the house to settle in and start his work. I suppose it will be difficult for him to learn everything when there is no one else in the place, but then again, life is difficult. I certainly do hope he will NOT allow my shaving-water cool to eighty-four degrees instead of eighty-six. The matter does weigh on my mind this afternoon. It is, of course, not a matter of temperature, but of punctuality and regularity. Well, we shall see in the morning.

                                                              Phileas Fogg
                                                                  12:13 PM
                                                                   Wednesday
                                                                   2nd of October, 1872