A caveat that I pray is unnecessary

Don't ever cut corners when it comes to dry cleaning. This past Saturday, I spilled a small bit of pea soup onto a tie while out at La Grenouille. The tie was inexpensive (Brooks Brothers) but ranked among my favorites because the elite makers seem to have abandoned regimental ties, which, on occasion, I like to wear with a blazer.

Just a few minutes ago, I returned from a local cleaner who has managed to destroy the tie by pressing it (yes, they ironed a tie) into a pancake, replete with razor-sharp edges and deep creases. I was thinking of taking it to Paulette, but, given the value of the tie and the length of the trip, I opted for a local cleaner, assuming that, while they were probably not expert, they would understand that one does not iron a tie. I'm just so very glad that this didn't happen with one of my seven-fold ties. I'd be livid.

Quite right, old bean!