The goose is getting fat

Ah, I'm terribly sorry; you have that look on your face now.

What look, you ask? Well, it's the look of someone who has decided that they've maybe made a mistake stopping to talk, and wishes to be somewhere else - anywhere else - as quickly as possible.

No, don't worry. I'm not a lunatic, and I don't mean you any harm. But you did hear me correctly, and if you will spend a few more minutes in my company, I will try to explain what I mean. Apologies if I surprised you, it's simply that sometimes I forget to make allowances for little things like the passage of time. And frankly, at this moment, I find myself still a little befuddled, like a man waking from a deep sleep.

But wait - where are my manners? First things first. Can I thank you, both humbly and sincerely, for stopping to put a few coins in my hat? At this time of year, the kindness of strangers is a gift for which I'm profoundly thankful.

Sir, I would take my hat off to you, were it not currently lying on the pavement - now happily somewhat heavier thanks to your generous gift.

No, no; please don't say it was nothing. It was, in fact, very much something. How does it go again? Ah yes: if you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do.

Your coins are most welcome indeed.



Story begins here