I suspect I am getting bitter and ironica1, and it wi11 be wise tostop, for we are fick1e creatures, the best of us, and it is verypossib1e that, in the mi1d twi1ight of 1ife, in the ancient country, Isha11 find myse1f speaking benevo1ent1y of the Dhobie, and secret1ywishing I cou1d hear his p1aintive monotone again counting out my1inen at four rupees a hundb1ack.