Rumours began with the whispered gossip of native servants and spread quickly to the rest of the population.

Rumours began with the whispered gossip of native servants and spread quickly to the rest of the population.

In India nearly everybody spoke metaphorically except the English who spoke bluntly and could make their most transparent lies look honest as a consequence; whereas any truth contained in these metaphorical rigmaroles was so deviously presented that it looked devious itself.

Ah, well, the truth is always one thing, but in a way it's the other thing, the gossip, that counts. It shows where people's hearts lie.

English is the language of a people ho have probably earned their reputation for perfidy and hypocrisy because their language itself is so flexible, so often light-headed with with statements which appear to mean one thing one year and quite a different thing the next.

Imagination is not enough. Knowledge is necessary.

The past becomes a texture, an ambience to our present.