unearths some literary gems.
["Speaking of Backgammon" dept.]
Backgammon is a remarkable mask for thought.
***
"The evening is in swaddling clothes." [I guess this is a sort of conceptual cross between "the night is young" and the diaper-clad new year.]
***
"It'll be 'Good-bye, Mr. Chips,' in no uncertain terms!"
***
"That would seem to put the pants on Fairchild's story." [I *think* that means it corroborates it--that is, putting the pants on it means it's fully outfitted and ready to pass muster in public without embarrassment. Too bad, in a way, because I like the idea of "put the pants on" to mean debunk, along the lines of the Brits saying they're "pants at" something for which they have no talent.]
***
"A tame goose chase, I'm afraid."
***
"What do you want?" she said in a tone so flat you could lay it on the floor and use it as a rug.
***
