We did this two or three times--and found it amusing.

A large cobra in the hall rose up, bowed as I passed, and respectfully removed his hood.
I found the poor old boy at the end of the passage.

It might have been the passage between Calais and Dover,--he looked so green, so limp and dejected.

I affected not to notice it, and threw myself in a chair.
He gazed at me for a moment and then said, "Did you hear what the chair was saying ?" It was an ordinary bamboo armchair, and had creaked after the usual fashion of bamboo chairs.

I said so.
He cast his eyes to the ceiling.