‘That’s a shame. A real shame. They don’t make them like him no more.’

‘They don’t.’

‘Julio, it would be good if you and I had a private conversation someplace. We are going to exercise due diligence of course, but it would be good if you let me know frankly of any difficulties you have had. Everyone is running about trying to shore up their assets and find new capital in China and so on. I don’t want any surprises. You can talk to me in private, you know that. By the way our friend Elstrevier has lost his shirt on Madoff. I warned him six years ago. What a schmuck. But you know what, the old saying is still true, if it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, it is a duck, but these guys are so greedy they tell themselves it’s not a duck, it’s a nightingale. Do you like Keats? I love Keats. When are we going to meet? And where? Maybe it’s better we meet in Chicago. I’ll fix something and get back to you. A coupla weeks after we get the stuff from you. OK, I gotta go: a drowsy numbness pains my sense. Hey, Julio, see you soon. By the way, have you squared the family?’

‘All done.’

‘Good boy.’

Julian calls Nigel.

‘Yup, Cy’s up for it. He needs to see the latest balance sheet of course, so can you get that ready by the end of the week?’

‘It’s almost done. Looks pretty good considering the conditions out there. The agencies have had off-the-record briefings. Old-fashioned virtues have triumphed.’

‘OK, Nige. Don’t overdo the bullshit.’

‘Jules, you are doing the right thing.’

‘I hope so.’

Fade far away, dissolve, and quite forget . . .

What thou amongst the leaves hast never known,

The weariness, the fever and the fret . . .