I have fulfilled my promise in word and in deed.

That's Cap'in Blackie! The notorious killah!

One year later, in February 1987, an 80 percent popular vote for a new Constitution was seen as a vote of confidence in her presidency, and coming after her nonelectoral ascent to power, it confirmed her legitimacy and helped keep her challengers at bay.

Susie Dalyell—or D’yell, as she prefers to call it, “in the true antiquous way”—is one of Mrs. Oliphant’s own charming little girls, a very Malaprop in her use of long words, and full of innocent palpitations, hopes, and fears.