--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is my custom to have sherry in the…" description: "\"“It is my custom to have sherry in the drawing room at eight-thirty and supper at nine. In future, please join me here promptly at eight-thirty, Alexan..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/judith-mcnaught-687_time_it-is-my-custom-to-have-sherry-in-the-dr_445757.jpg" --- # It is my custom to have sherry in the drawing room at… ![“It is my custom to have sherry in the drawing room at eight-thirty and supper at nine. In future, please join me here promptly at eight-thirty, Alexandra." Fire ignited in Alexandra's eyes, but she managed to keep her voice level. "You've already told me where I may sleep, where I may go, who must…” quote by Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/judith-mcnaught-687_time_it-is-my-custom-to-have-sherry-in-the-dr_445757.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/judith-mcnaught-687_time_it-is-my-custom-to-have-sherry-in-the-dr_445757.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/judith-mcnaught-687_time_it-is-my-custom-to-have-sherry-in-the-dr_445757.jpg) > ““It is my custom to have sherry in the drawing room at eight-thirty and supper at nine. In future, please join me here promptly at eight-thirty, Alexandra." Fire ignited in Alexandra's eyes, but she managed to keep her voice level. "You've already told me where I may sleep, where I may go, who must accompany me, and when I must eat. Would you care to instruct me as to when I may breathe?”” [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character demands precise control over her daily schedule, highlighting power dynamics and autonomy in relationships. **In simple terms:** She wants control over even the smallest details of her life. Key Takeaway Demand respect for personal agency. Themes control power autonomy relationships Mood tense assertive Type dialogue dramatic When to use this quote - marriage negotiations - workplace hierarchy - family planning Key Concepts domination boundaries personal agency Questions to Reflect On - How much control is healthy in a partnership? - What boundaries are essential for mutual respect? A Different Perspective The tone may seem manipulative rather than collaborative. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“We are late, Alexandra,” said the dowager duchess as she stood in Alex’s drawing room idly examining a magnificent fourteenth-century sculpture reposing on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/we-are-late-alexandra-said-the-dowager-duchess-as-she-stood-in-alex-s/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“So, Byrne, did you and Christabel get lost on the way down? Perhaps we should send you a floor plan for next time. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/so-byrne-did-you-and-christabel-get-lost-on-the-way-down-perhaps-we/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“We went back into the drawing room. The evening had passes pleasantly enough, heaven knows, but I was glad that they had gone and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daphne-du-maurier/we-went-back-into-the-drawing-room-the-evening-had-passes-pleasantly/) [Daphne du Maurier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daphne-du-maurier/) > [“here in the drawing room, each lady quietly relaxed and became more real, expanding into the space left by the men. Without visibly changing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hardinge/here-in-the-drawing-room-each-lady-quietly-relaxed-and-became-more/) [Frances Hardinge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hardinge/) > [“the dark, cluttered, polished mahogany splendor of the Sanborns’ Victorian drawing room. Mr. Sanborn wavered. Roark asked, his arm sweeping out at the room…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/the-dark-cluttered-polished-mahogany-splendor-of-the-sanborns/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [This kind of painting with its large frames is a bourgeois drawing-room art. It is an art dealer's art-and that came in after the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edvard-munch/this-kind-of-painting-with-its-large-frames-is-a-bourgeois-drawing/) [Edvard Munch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edvard-munch/) > [“I know the world is a drawing-room, from which we must retire politely and honestly; that is, with a bow, and our debts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandre-dumas/i-know-the-world-is-a-drawing-room-from-which-we-must-retire-politely/) [Alexandre Dumas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandre-dumas/) > [But after all, what have we todo with taverns? Real menacebelongs to the drawing-room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-morgan-forste/but-after-all-what-have-we-todo-with-taverns-real-menacebelongs-to/) Edward Morgan Forste > [“Forgive me if I never visit. I am from the fields, you know, and while quite at home with the dandelions, make a sorry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/forgive-me-if-i-never-visit-i-am-from-the-fields-you-know-and-while/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [“It was the Riverton drawing room. Even the wallpaper was the same. Silver Studios' burgundy Art Nouveau, "Flaming Tulips," as fresh as the day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-morton/it-was-the-riverton-drawing-room-even-the-wallpaper-was-the-same/) [Kate Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-morton/) > [“Self-confidence depends on environment: one does not speak in the same tone in the drawing room than in the kitchen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/self-confidence-depends-on-environment-one-does-not-speak-in-the-same/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [Low comedies are written for the drawing-room, the kitchen and the stable, and if you cut out the kitchen and the stable the drawing-room…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/low-comedies-are-written-for-the-drawing-room-the-kitchen-and-the/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [THIS THE MY DRAWING ROOM…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohit-rana/this-the-my-drawing-room/) [Rohit Rana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohit-rana/) > [My interior is very, very dense - Proustian-looking, sort of Henry James. The walls are covered in pictures, and I transformed the big drawing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamish-bowles/my-interior-is-very-very-dense-proustian-looking-sort-of-henry-james/) [Hamish Bowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamish-bowles/) > [“The man in Drawing Room B, Car No. 4, was a newspaper publisher who believed that men are evil by nature and unfit for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/the-man-in-drawing-room-b-car-no-4-was-a-newspaper-publisher-who/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) ## More by Judith McNaught > [“What, may I ask, does your one truck contain if not gowns?” Inspiration struck, and Elizabeth smiled radiantly. “Something of great value. Priceless value,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/what-may-i-ask-does-your-one-truck-contain-if-not-gowns-inspiration/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“When she was turning the bacon, he came up behind her, his hands settling on her waist as he peered over her shoulder. “That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/when-she-was-turning-the-bacon-he-came-up-behind-her-his-hands/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“At five minutes to five,Jim walked into Mary's office, wearing his gray sweater and balancing four pieces of birthday cake on two plates. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/at-five-minutes-to-five-jim-walked-into-mary-s-office-wearing-his/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“To have him look at her as if she was a piece of office equipment whose presence offended him but whom he was obliged…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/to-have-him-look-at-her-as-if-she-was-a-piece-of-office-equipment/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“Am I to assume the Valerie I was introduced to earlier was the Valerie of our greenhouse notes?” He realized his mistake the instant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/am-i-to-assume-the-valerie-i-was-introduced-to-earlier-was-the/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“How ‘bout some coffee?” Jake said as he hurried over to the coffee pot on the stove and filled a mug with the remainder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/how-bout-some-coffee-jake-said-as-he-hurried-over-to-the-coffee-pot/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“He bowed politely to Hortense, who tipped her head toward the elderly gray-haired lady beside her, who seemed to be dozing, her head drooping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/he-bowed-politely-to-hortense-who-tipped-her-head-toward-the-elderly/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“He finished his meeting a few minutes later and almost rudely ejected his business acquaintances from his library, then he went in search of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/he-finished-his-meeting-a-few-minutes-later-and-almost-rudely-ejected/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“When I’m under stress,” he emphasized, sliding the magnificent emerald onto her finger, “I buy everything in sight. It took my last ounce of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/when-i-m-under-stress-he-emphasized-sliding-the-magnificent-emerald/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [Some people feel love in their hearts, Julie. Some of us feel it all way into our souls. We're the ones who can't forget.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/some-people-feel-love-in-their-hearts-julie-some-of-us-feel-it-all/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“Lady Thornton, how very good of you to find the time to pay us a social call! Would it be too pushing of me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/lady-thornton-how-very-good-of-you-to-find-the-time-to-pay-us-a/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“The truth is that I want you. I have always wanted you, and you know that.” “I hate that word,” she burst out, trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/the-truth-is-that-i-want-you-i-have-always-wanted-you-and-you-know/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“In some ways it seemed wrong that he lived here now, in this solitary place. At least part of the time he ought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/in-some-ways-it-seemed-wrong-that-he-lived-here-now-in-this-solitary/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“We need to straighten out some personal matters between us. Why don't we do it over dinner tonight?" he suggested. Lauren courteously refused with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/we-need-to-straighten-out-some-personal-matters-between-us-why-don-t/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [she kissed him with all the aching longing that being this close to him evoked; she kissed him in all the ways he had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/she-kissed-him-with-all-the-aching-longing-that-being-this-close-to/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Explore all 405 Judith McNaught quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) ## More Time quotes > ['Mad TV' is one of my most favorite shows of all time and is a huge part of my obsession with sketch comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-dawson/mad-tv-is-one-of-my-most-favorite-shows-of-all-time-and-is-a-huge/) [Shane Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-dawson/) > [These joys were so trifling as to be as imperceptible as grains of gold among the sand, and in moments of depression she saw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/these-joys-were-so-trifling-as-to-be-as-imperceptible-as-grains-of/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“William didn't look like he'd be difficult about anything - he was thin and sandy-haired and already wore eyeglasses like his father. Most of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-c-wrede/william-didn-t-look-like-he-d-be-difficult-about-anything-he-was-thin/) [Patricia C. Wrede](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-c-wrede/) > [Intel has a very complete process that I go through any time I want to sell that ensures I have no insider information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-krzanich/intel-has-a-very-complete-process-that-i-go-through-any-time-i-want/) [Brian Krzanich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-krzanich/) > [The man who can master his time can master nearly anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-man-who-can-master-his-time-can-master-nearly-anything/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [I feel like the future is unwritten. So many of the things that we write now haven't been about educating people on the environment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flansburgh/i-feel-like-the-future-is-unwritten-so-many-of-the-things-that-we/) [John Flansburgh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flansburgh/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you do things they're absolutely right at that time for you and it can always teach you something about yourself. You can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kym-marsh/when-you-do-things-they-re-absolutely-right-at-that-time-for-you-and/) [Kym Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kym-marsh/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The future is only an indifferent void no one cares about, but the past is filled with life, and its countenance is irritating, repellent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-future-is-only-an-indifferent-void-no-one-cares-about-but-the/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [“Conception is the beginning of human life. From the time that an ovum is fertilized a new life begins that is neither that of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declaration-on-procured-abortion-congregation-for-the-doctrine-of-the-faith-1974/conception-is-the-beginning-of-human-life-from-the-time-that-an-ovum/) Declaration on Procured Abortion Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith 1974 > [“You put together two things that have not been put together before. And the world is changed. People may not notice at the time,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-barnes/you-put-together-two-things-that-have-not-been-put-together-before/) [Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barnes/) > [“It was about damn time something happened.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lev-grossman/it-was-about-damn-time-something-happened/) [Lev Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lev-grossman/) [Browse all 215,255 Time quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It is my custom to have sherry in the drawing room at eight-thirty and supper at nine. In future, please join me here promptly at eight-thirty, Alexandra.\" Fire ignited in Alexandra's eyes, but she managed to keep her voice level. \"You've already told me where I may sleep, where I may go, who must accompany me, and when I must eat. Would you care to instruct me as to when I may breathe?”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/it-is-my-custom-to-have-sherry-in-the-drawing-room-at-eight-thirty/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Time" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/it-is-my-custom-to-have-sherry-in-the-drawing-room-at-eight-thirty/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/judith-mcnaught-687_time_it-is-my-custom-to-have-sherry-in-the-dr_445757.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/judith-mcnaught-687_time_it-is-my-custom-to-have-sherry-in-the-dr_445757.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/judith-mcnaught-687_time_it-is-my-custom-to-have-sherry-in-the-dr_445757.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is my custom to have sherry in the drawing room at eight-thirty and supper at nine. In future, please…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Judith McNaught", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“It is my custom to have...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/it-is-my-custom-to-have-sherry-in-the-drawing-room-at-eight-thirty/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/it-is-my-custom-to-have-sherry-in-the-drawing-room-at-eight-thirty/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```