Decline and Fall

by Waugh Evelyn

'No, I know exactly what you mean. You're dynamic, and I'm static.

'Is that it? Expect you're right. Funny thing you used to teach me once; d'you remember? Llanabba ‑ Latin sentences, Quominus and Quin, and the organ; d'you remember?

'Yes, I remember, said Paul.

'Funny how things happen. You used to teach me the organ; d'you remember?

'Yes, I remember, said Paul.

'And then Margot Metroland wanted to marry you; d'you remember?

'Yes, said Paul.

'And then you went to prison, and Alastair ‑ that's Margot Metroland's young man ‑ and Metroland ‑ that's her husband ‑ got you out; d'you remember?

'Yes, said Paul, 'I remember.

'And here we are talking to one another like this, up here, after all that! Funny, isn't it?