'That's all right, I don't mind. You know Ella, I mentioned your name to someone today and they said you had written a book?'

'Everyone has written a book.'

'If I told my wife I'd met a real writer, she'd never get over it, she's mad about culture and that kind of thing.'

'But perhaps you'd better not tell her.'

'What if I read your book?'

'But you don't read books.'

'I can read,' he said, good-humoured. 'What's it about?'

'Well... let me see. It's full of insight and integrity and one thing and another.'

'You don't take it seriously?'

'Of course I take it seriously.