“I put it back,” she explained, half laughing as though at an unwitty joke, the corners of her mouth turning down.

The new chorus of angels, “Fear thou not,” for two soprani and two alti, is a smooth piece of devotional writing, excellently adapted to its position in the work, Peter’s air, “The heavens are opened,” with its appropriate harp accompaniment, immediately following it with increased effect.

I ate a kebab in a Cypriot cafe with the freezing rain spatting in the doorway and I was poured a soup-like cup of builder's tea.

If the bol'shak mismanaged the family farm, or was too often drunk and violent, the commune could replace him under customary law with another household member.