Silence Of Philosophy

The story goes that Mrs. Carlyle ventured up to Carlyle's "sublime garret" with her needlework one day, but before long her husband drew attention to the noise which she made with her needle.
Folding her hands idly upon her lap, she sat motionless, but presently the silence was broken by the voice of the philosopher.
"Jane," said he, "I can hear you breathing."
As Mrs. Carlyle found it inconvenient to abandon this natural process, she was forced to give up all attempts at bearing her husband company in his study.