The former Prime Minister, Mr. Wentworth Lane, was defeated in the recent
elections. He is now retiring from political life and has gone abroad. My
friend, Patrick, has always been a fanatical opponent of Mr. Lane's Radical
Progressive Party. After the elections, Patrick went to the former Prime
Minister's house. When he asked if Mr. Lane lived there, the policeman on duty
told him that since his defeat, the ex-Prime Minister had gone abroad. On the
following day, Patrick went to the house again. The same policeman was just
walking slowly past the entrance, when Patrick asked the same question. Though
a little suspicious this time, the policeman gave him the same answer. The day
after, Patrick went to the house once more and asked exactly the same
question. This time, the policeman lost his temper. 'I told you yesterday and
the day before yesterday,' he shouted, 'Mr. Lane was defeated in the
elections. He has retired from political life and gone to live abroad!'#
'I know,' answered Patrick, 'but I love to hear you say it!'&