DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was in my office when I got an urge to go to the bathroom. I hate to do this at work, because I work in a converted townhouse where the bathrooms are just one toilet and one sink, like in a house. But I had no choice.

I was sitting in there when I heard my boss outside the door: “Kaitlin, are you in there?”

“Yes. Why do you ask?”

“Mr. Warren is on the phone.” (Well, obviously I couldn’t talk to a client from THAT position. Imagine if I’d had to get up to check my desk calendar!)

“Please ask the gentleman to call back.” “How long are you going to be in there?” “Hard to say.”

Then a colleague walked by and started talking to our boss, still standing outside the door. It was like a staff meeting, except that I had other business to do. I just prayed they did not hear anything.

What should I do about this?

GENTLE READER: Find a more observant and discreet boss.

“Just a quick reminder. Since we are in fairly close quarters around here, I would suggest that if we are indisposed and in the bathroom, we not engage in business.”

(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com ; to her email, ; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)