Introduction

“Do you know, I don’t think I can read mine. It’s rather unkind.”

“Oh, Basil, you must.”

“Please, Basil.”

This always happened when Basil played paper games.

“No, I can’t, look it’s all scrumbled up.”

“Oh, Basil, dearest, do.”

“Oh, Basil, please.”

“Darling Basil, you must.”

“No, I won’t. Imogen will be in a rage with me.”

“No, she won’t, will you, Imogen?”

“Imogen, tell him you won’t be in a rage with him.”

“Basil, do read it please.”

“Well, then, if you promise you won’t hate me”—and he smoothed out the piece of paper.

“Flower—Cactus.

“Drink—Rum.

“Stuff—Baize.

“Furniture—Rocking-Horse.

“Food—Venison.

“Address—Dublin.

“And Animal—Boa constrictor.”

“Oh, Basil, how marvellous.”

“Poor Adam, I never thought of him as Dublin, of course it’s perfect.”

“Why Cactus?”

“So phallic, my dear, and prickly.”

“And such vulgar flowers.”

“Boa constrictor is brilliant.”

“Yes, his digestion you know.”

“And can’t sting, only crush.”

“And fascinates rabbits.”

“I must draw a picture of Adam fascinating a rabbit,” and then, “Imogen, you’re not going?”

“I must. I’m terribly sleepy. Don’t get drunk and wake me up, will you?”

“Imogen, you are in a rage with me.”