Mrs Foster is someone who feels much calmer when she is able to arrive early or on time for appointments and events. Mr Foster, less so – or rather it soon becomes apparent that he takes a peculiar enjoyment in making his wife miss things or be late for them. However, this being a Dahl story, we know that vices such as greed, selfishness and inconsiderateness tend to boomerang back upon the person indulging in them.