"the privvy," (i.e. - a private place) had come into use - ....usually in reference to an earth- or pail-closet.

Privy, OED says, a private place ... in New England the outhouse was often called the privy ... there are still a few houses around with a privy/outhouse but mostly they're connected to hunting cabins in the woods where sewers not in place.
Up until the mid-1960s one could occasionally see a real estate ad for a house "with a path" available in a small town. The euphemism was used for a house with no indoor toilet, but a path that led from the back door to the privy/outhouse.