If you are trying to fool a farsighted or dimwitted person, a veiled facial disguise might be enough.

I know what is going on," said Sir. "I am the Boss! Of course I know!

For obvious reasons, I never told you about my notebook, with a cover as green as mansions long ago, which I use as a commonplace book, a phrase which here means 'place where I have collected passages from some of the most important books I have read.

My work is very dear to me, and certainly I have had all the emotional highs and lows that go with trying to get it to an audience. But I do have some kind of detachment that seems somewhat unusual in my trade. I'm a writer who writes every day. I don't have a period of months where I can't get anything done and I wander around tearing my hair out. When I come back from a book tour, for instance, I might have one day where I sleep late and then check my e-mail, and then go for a walk, and then the next day I'm really itching to get back at writing a story.

It was a curious feeling, that something could be so close and so distant at the same time.

For Beatrice - you will always be in my mind, in my heart and in your grave.

Wherever it's good, whatever strange, faraway land, let's go there, let's stay in that place alone.