On another thread, one of our friends notes that he has pleasant social relationships with one of the deans, who is being "raked over the coals" as you say, elsewhere on the thread. This so innocuous remark has led me to deeply ponder the nature of our relationships when engaged in so great a battle as now. In fact, I was required to pour another tiny sip of champagne and avail myself of the dark chocolate raspberry creams. They do help clear the mind.
So, mes amis, how shall we make our way through this difficult life side by side with those who are sometimes our enemies, and sometimes our friends, who have helped us upon one day and direly wounded us the next day? I was confronted this very evening with such a question, when I encountered a person many of you know. This person has not done evil, but has failed to confront evil. Yet now another cause arises, in which this voice is important, and with which one agrees this time. I found myself having the greatest quandry within mon coeur-- how is the heart to feel upon hearing the voice that could have spared one's friends the greatest pain?

In the situation of this dean (whom I do not know) our poster should remember that it is one thing to have the bon mot or the funny story, and another thing to act wisely or right in one's work and life. These are not equal things. Also, I so enjoy the wonderful expression Miss Angleterre says to me, "never attribute to malice what can adequately be explained by stupidity." Ah, me, we have seen a great deal of both, have we not, dear ones?

The evening wanes. Even my beloved chien Dervish, sleeps at my feet. Beau soir, mes amis. Tomorrow we shall again leap into the fray.

C'est la guerre!

M. de G.