How are the mighty fallen

My first term's pocket money at Rugby was £3 (paid in cash and in advance to me by my parents). I was 13 years old and nobody had entrusted such a sum to me before. The feeling of flushness that I suddenly experienced allowed me to buy my first book (rather than merely receive a book) and I alighted upon a joke book published by Bennet Cerf (then chairman of Random House). Now, as it happens, I regard telling a joke as a duty to humanity to be discharged at every possible opportunity. Therefore Bennet Cerf became and remains one of my heroes in spite of his association with the Famous Writers course which Jessica debags when interviewed by Christopher Hitchens.

It was not until many years later that I learnt that American business is dominated by exultation in cheating the customer. So Bob is forgiven and Jessica must be applauded for her persistent insight.