So he explained, “I meant them words more big-brotherly than spitesome, ma'am.

He had seen so many lean years of faithful service when the enemy held the corner on all the official cribs that, now in the days of his party’s fatness and of his own righteous reward, the habit of good, honest hustling stuck to him, and he lined up an array of pulls and indorsements that made him swell with happiness every time he went over the list.

‘You’re looking very tired - did she keep you awake?’ ‘No, she’s as good as gold.’ ‘Not like him, he’s a crying jinnet.

A tall, skilful trequartista with impeccable technique, he has an eye for the goal, being especially dangerous in the air.