January 30. “Thought I’d have a brief chat before I go off to Kolkata and tell you a lovely story.”
“I love stories and the way you tell them.”
January 28. “Why are you so late? It’s long past midnight.
You are also rather sick with a bad throat infection. You should have actually gone to bed early tonight.”
January 27. “Button, she’s been in ICU since the last 6 days and is fighting for survival.
My people at the club are going hell for leather—trying everything possible—to try and get her to live and what a fighter she is.”
January 25. “Button, do you believe in change? Do you like it?”
“Change is nice.”
January 24. “Button, what did you think of Bingo?”
“I liked the way the show started but after Paa went and the ordinary couples came in to play the game, it suddenly went kaput.”
January 23. “Did it feel nice when I lifted you up this morning to show you the pigeon wooing his mate?”
“Yes, I loved it when you carried me in your arms.”
January 22. “I read a very strange piece in the TOI a few days back. The whole article was in praise of idleness! Can you believe it?”
“And why not? When people were idle, they praised hard work and shoved it down our throats and, now that people are working 18-20 hours a day and killing themselves, they come out and say it’s no good working so hard.”
January 21. “Button, my younger daughter turned a year older today. That little tom-boy of mine has grown into a beautiful woman. Did you see my letter to her?”
“I have not read the letter but tell me briefly what it says.”