The preface? Why would he waste time with the preface? Skip the preface and move on to the meat of the thing!

I'm cursed with this puritanical streak that makes me want everything to be about something. It's a terrible affliction.

You see, when medicine works, it is blessed science, and when it fails, it is witchcraft. - Polidori

It was as though, in one moment, he had become a stranger. And I a stranger to myself.

IMBECILE!" the chef shouted. "Next time why don't you just put your whole HAND in the food, hey? Yes, your whole hand, or maybe your FACE! I arrange the food on plates with care, are you understanding what I am telling you? It is part of the art form of cooking, yes? A lovely plate of food is a thing of beauty! And then you, NUMBSKULL, come along and put your fat greasy FINGERS all over my plate, and SHAKE the plate, and move my food all around the plate until it looks like pigs' vomit!" "Chef Vlad!" I cried out in delight.

You flatter me shamelessly. I like it. Good.

I poo poo the chit.' The attendant looked stunned. 'You cannot poo-poo the chit!' I do.' Kate said solemnly. 'I do poo-poo.' We'll walk.