"I am Professor Beckworth," he pronounced in a kind of soprano-baritone. "Would you like to ask me some statistics, sir?" "Yes," replied Bob. "What are the chances of this damn rain stopping today, Professor?" "Mmm," said Jean-Claude, pondering earnestly, "You'll have to see me tomorrow about that."

Man, Woman and Child (p. 178), Harper & Row, Publishers. 1980