Scoop-Evelyn-Waugh [36]
"Go on, sock me one and see what you get." "I don't want to sock you one. You sock me first." "Aw, go sock him one." "Just you give me a poke in the nose and see what you'll get."
"...Notre condition professionnelle. Nous souhaitons la bienvenue �oute la competition �l et libre."
"... Nostra condizione professionale..."
"You poke me in the nose." "Aw, why can't you boys sock each other and be friendly?"
"Resolution before the meeting...protest against the breach of faith on the part of the Ishmaelite Government and demand that all restrictions on their movements be instantly relaxed. I call for a show of hands on this resolution." "Mr. Chairman, I object to the whole tone of this resolution." "May I propose the amendment that facilities be withheld from Sir Jocelyn Hitchcock until we have had time to get level with him." "...demand an enquiry into how and from whom he received his permission to travel and the punishment of the responsible official..." "I protest, Mr. Chairman, that the whole tone is peremptory and discourteous." "...The motion as amended reads..." Then Dr. Benito arrived; he came from the main entrance and the journalists fell back to make way. It was William's first sight of him. He was short and brisk and self-possessed; soot black in face, with piercing boot-button eyes; he wore a neat black suit; his linen and his teeth were brilliantly white; he carried a little black attach�ase; in the lapel of his coat he wore the button of the Star of Ishmaelia, fourth class. As he passed through them the journalists were hushed; it was as though the head-mistress had suddenly appeared among an unruly class of schoolgirls. He reached the table, shook Pappenhacker by the hand and faced his audience with a flash of white teeth. "Gentlemen," he said, "I will speak first in English," � the correspondents of Havas and Paris-soir began to protest, � "after that in French. "I have a communication to make on the part of the President. He wishes to state first that he reserves for himself absolutely the right to maintain or relax the regulations he has made for the comfort and safety of the press, either generally or in individual cases. Secondly, that, so far, no relaxation of these regulations has been made in any case. If, as is apparently believed, a journalist has left Jacksonburg for the interior it is without the Government's consent or knowledge. Thirdly that the roads to the interior are at the moment entirely unfit for travel, provisions are impossible to obtain and travellers would be in danger from disaffected elements of the population. Fourthly, that he has decided, in view of the wishes of the foreign press, to relax the restrictions he has hitherto made. Those wishing to do so may travel to the interior. They must first apply formally to my bureau where the necessary passes will be issued and steps taken for their protection. That is all, gentlemen." He then repeated his message in accurate French, bowed and left the meeting in deep silence. When he had gone Pappenhacker said, "Well gentlemen, I think that concludes our evening's business in a very satisfactory manner," but it was with a dissatisfied air that the journalists left the hotel for the wireless station. "A triumph for the power of the press," said Corker. "They caved in at once." "Yes," said William. "You sound a bit doubtful, old boy." "Yes." "I know what you're thinking of