Friday’s Piece

What is that I feel, Fanny? Why am I so weak in body that I cannot take exercise? Why cannot I keep my mind on a book for one moment? Why can I not write two sentences together? Why should every mouthful that I eat stick in my throat? Oh, Fanny, is it his legs, think you, or is it his title?

(From Chronicles of Barsetshire by Anthony Trollope, 1815 – 1882)

John Lentell
Rhodesia Herald
25th March, 1971

Thursday’s Piece

Father is rather vulgar, my dear. The word Papa, besides, gives a very pretty form to the lips. Papa, potatoes, poultry, prunes and prism are all very good words for the lips: especially prunes and prism.

(From Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens, 1812 – 1870)

John Lentell
17th March, 1971