Random conversation

We've not seen the guy for nearly 20 years. It was, needless to say, a joy to catch up with him during his short visit recently.

Everyone in the family is doing well, says he. But his father, he laments, is getting increasingly forgetful in his old age. And he, the caring and filial son, has been giving the old man long lectures on how to cope and be "less forgetful".

The old man must have already realised that his failing mental acuity is irreversible. He finally turned to his son during another of the lectures and said, "Why are you telling me all this? It's going to be your problem."

We will miss the old boy's sharp wit...