But, in being an African-American politician, [Obama] […] introduces race by default. This racial defaultism is what must be considered as far as a potential limitation in the president's bargaining power, despite whites' liberalization about race and race-related policy issues.

The task was more to Appleby's liking than the one he had anticipated, and it was necessary, since the smaller merchants in Cuba and also in parts of Peninsular Spain have no great confidence in bankers, and prefer a packet of golden onzas or a bag of pesetas to the best accredited cheque.

They were turning tricks, doing drugs, and generally little better off than they had been before, except that they were keeping more of their money. But they seemed lonely, too, without the company of their pimp and the rest of his string.

But it was the Tui Marina end that lingers in the memory. It was haunted by tuis, great insolent Carusos, who would half throw a note and then break off in the middle in sheer delight at their own marvellousness or in sudden greed.