[Points to the chair near the little table on the right.] Your place of honour.

[Sits down.] Thanks. [Passing his hand over his brow.] Good Lord, how warm it is today! The heat pains me here in the eye. The glare.

The room is rather dark, I think, with the blind down but if you wish . . .

[Quickly.] Not at all. I know what it is—the result of night work.

[Sits on the lounge.] Must you?

[Sighs.] Eh, yes. I must see part of the paper through every night. And then my leading articles. We are approaching a difficult moment. And not only here.

[After a slight pause.] Have you any news?

[In a different voice.] Yes. I want to speak to you seriously. Today may be an important day for you—or rather, tonight. I saw the vicechancellor this morning. He has the highest opinion of you, Richard. He has read your book, he said.

Did he buy it or borrow it?