Chapter 24 end

"We should order some papers," Edmund said to Philippa one day, just back in Chipping Crighorn from their honeymoon. "Let's go to Totman's together." Mr. Totman, slow and panting, received them affably. "Glad to see you back, sir, and madam." "We want to order some newspapers." "Certainly, sir. I hope your mother is well. Are you settled in Bournemouth?" "She likes it there," said Edmund, not at all sure whether that was the case, but like most sons, he preferred to believe that, to their loving but often irritating parents, everything was Both are good.

"Yes, sir, a very pleasant place. I went on vacation last year. Mrs. Totman liked it very much. " "I'm glad. As for the newspaper, we want to—" "I hear you have a play going on in London, sir. It's very funny, that's what they told me." "Yes, it works great." "I've heard it's called 'Elephants Are Really Forgetful.' If you'll excuse me, sir, I ask, but I always think elephants don't—I mean forget things." "Yes, yes, that's right. I've already thought of the name as a mistake. I've had quite a few people tell you that."

"This is a fact of natural history, and I have always understood it this way." "Yes, yes. It's like earthworms are good mothers." "Really, sir? Well, I don't know that." "About the newspaper—" "I suppose so?" Mr. Totman took up his pencil, and stopped again. "The Daily Worker," said Edmund firmly. "Also," said Philippa. "And The New Statesman," said Edmund. "Radio Age," Philippa said. "The Observer," said Edmund. "The Gardener's Notes," said Philippa. Both stopped to catch their breath.

"Thank you, sir," said Mr. Totman, "and the Izvestia, I suppose?" "No," said Edmund. "No," said Philippa. "Excuse me, but you really don't want Izvestia?" "No." "No." "You mean," said Mr. Totman, fond of making things clear, "that you really don't want the Izvestia!" "Yes, we don't want to." "Of course not." "You don't subscribe to the North Burnham News and the Chipping Krighorn News--" "No." "You don't want me to send it to you every week?"

"No," added Edmund, "does it make sense now?" "Oh, yes, sir, yes." Edmund and Philippa went out, and Mr. Totman shuffled into the drawing-room at the back. "Any pencils, mother?" he asked. "I'm out of pencils." "Here," said Mrs. Totman, grabbing the book, "I'll do it. What did they order?" "The Daily Worker, The Daily Telegraph, The New Statesman, The Radio Age, The Observer, and, let me see, The Gardener's Notes." "The Gardener's Notes," she repeated, busily writing, "and the Izvestia."

"They don't want Izvestia." "why?" "They don't want Izvestia. That's what they say." "Nonsense," said Mrs. Totman, "you must have missed it. Of course they want the Izvestia! Everybody subscribes to the Izvestia, or how do they know what's going on around here?"