diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 89753b00..e3b8d514 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -72,6 +72,16 @@ void setup () {
 > Turns the SpaceCadet Shift behaviour off, making the `Shift` keys work as they
 > did before, without the additional behaviour.
 
+### `.timeOut`
+
+> The number of loop iterations to wait before considering a held key in
+> isolation as its secondary role. That is, we'd have to hold a `Shift` key
+> this long, by itself, to trigger the `Shift` role in itself.
+>
+> Not strictly a method, it is a variable one can assign a new value to.
+>
+> Defaults to 40.
+
 ## Further reading
 
 Starting from the [example][plugin:example] is the recommended way of getting
diff --git a/src/Akela/SpaceCadet.cpp b/src/Akela/SpaceCadet.cpp
index 20e2cc7c..158265fb 100644
--- a/src/Akela/SpaceCadet.cpp
+++ b/src/Akela/SpaceCadet.cpp
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ namespace Akela {
 
   uint8_t SpaceCadetShift::parenNeeded;
   uint8_t SpaceCadetShift::timer;
-  const uint8_t SpaceCadetShift::timeOut = DEFAULT_TIMEOUT * 2;
+  uint8_t SpaceCadetShift::timeOut = 40;
   Key SpaceCadetShift::leftParen, SpaceCadetShift::rightParen;
 
   SpaceCadetShift::SpaceCadetShift () {
diff --git a/src/Akela/SpaceCadet.h b/src/Akela/SpaceCadet.h
index 0749e9d8..e8baf643 100644
--- a/src/Akela/SpaceCadet.h
+++ b/src/Akela/SpaceCadet.h
@@ -28,13 +28,13 @@ namespace Akela {
     virtual void begin (void) final;
 
     static void configure (Key left, Key right);
+    static uint8_t timeOut;
 
     void on (void);
     void off (void);
   private:
     static uint8_t parenNeeded;
     static uint8_t timer;
-    static const uint8_t timeOut;
     static Key leftParen, rightParen;
 
     static Key eventHandlerHook (Key mappedKey, byte row, byte col, uint8_t keyState);