So I sat down in the corner to think.

I had just decided to wait and see if the visitor returned, when I heard footsteps, and then voices; and then you came in.

I must say I was rather taken aback, especially as I recognized the voice of Mr Babylon.

You see, I didn't want to frighten you.
If I had bobbed up from behind the bottles and said "Booh!" you would have had a serious shock.

I wanted to think of a way of breaking my presence gently to you.