It no longer mattered that I had been skunked in the marsh. I had prevailed on the ponds.

She had cold sores on her upper lip which made her mouth look swollen and ugly. But from a distance it was not noticeable - like the spit and breathy sounds.

Goujons are tiny brook-fish like the white bait which are served on the sea coast in this country; but to watch a Frenchman with an untrimmed beard as he devours schools of goujons is an experience.

His trousers were sagging off his legs.