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"Eighteen Yes, it seems like yesterday," she said wistfully "Oh, I do hope you don't s "Richard won't per in our home and he can smell it a mile away, so don't try to sneak one?'

"Fag?"

"Yes"

"I don't understand What's a fag?" I asked

"Oh, it's what you Aet who to"

"Aren't you still an American?" I asked

"Goodness, no Richard wouldn't tolerate the idea" She gazed out theand then turned back toa ithout showers, if you believe what you hear on the telly"

"Telly?"

"The televison set, of course Richard says Americans can't live a day without the telly I don't suppose you're hooked on one of those dreadful soap things, are you?"

"Oh Television No, ma'am, I'm not," I said

"Good Just look there," she said pointing to a wo cart full of cans and bottles "I don't knohat this country is coing for recyclables to get food Dreadful"

"Ho back at the woman with the cart "It's the same back in the States"

"Richard just rages and rages about theet them off the streets Just the other day, he ave him a bloody what for"

"Is that the Priland?"

"Of course, dear NowI'll stop talking and you tellthe story of your life Go on Where were you born?" she asked, resting her ar back as if I was about to tell her a fairy tale