little white lies

God does not exist, as neither does our hereafter, that second bogey being as easily disposed of as the first. Indeed, imagine yourself just dead - and suddenly wide awake in Paradise where, wreathed in smiles, your dear dead welcome you.
Now tell me, please, what guarantee do you possess that those beloved ghosts are genuine; that it is really your dear dead mother and not some petty demon mystifying you, masked as your mother and impersonating her with consummate art and naturalness? There is the rub, there is the horror; the more so as the acting will go on and on, endlessly; never, never, never, never, never will your soul in that other world be quite sure that the sweet gentle spirits crowding about it are not fiends in disguise, and forever, and forever, and forever shall your soul remain in doubt, expecting every moment some awful change, some diabolical sneer to disfigure the dear face bending over you.
- Vladimir Nabokov (Despair)

"Dear Tony
A note from the prodigal friend!
I had a letter from Sam mentioning that you had unsuccessfully tried to 'phone - unfortunately the 'phone is yet to be connected by B.T. I hope you had a good Xmas and that Art History continues to agree with you. The main reason I write is to invite you down to Guildford, however could we postpone until the end of feb for 2 reasons:- (i) I broke my arm on friday and so would be unable to entertain in a fitting manner. (ii) I have some rather serious exams coming up in 3/4 weeks time.
I'll ring/write nearer the time if that's OK.
Yours, David"