Wonderful, wonderful! Outside, the world as we know it is on the brink of collapse, but here in my study it is snug and warm; my books surround me, the coffee is hot and fresh . . .
There is a perfunctory knock at the door; before I have time to swing my feet off the desk, my wife is in the room. "I have to talk to you."
About my unemployment, no doubt. But no: "It's about mother."