If we have had an unpleasant experience, we are very anxious to avoid a repetition.
‘Mr Saunders,’ said the schoolmistress, ‘we are talking another party of children up to see the sights of London next Saturday. Would you like to help up as you so kindly did last time?’
‘I’m sorry, Miss Osborne, but I’d much rather not,’ he replied. ‘Those infernal kids nearly drove me mad. “once bitten, twice shy” is my motto from now on.’