The Words of the Maharaja

To assist in my biographical efforts, the Professor helpfully jots down a few notes whenever he recollects random incidents from his past. Sadly, most of these notes turn out to be shopping lists, receipts for dry cleaning or scorecards from long-forgotten matches. However, written on the back of a leaflet for gutter cleaning services, the following words proved to be particularly instructive and illuminating. I hope that others will be as moved as I by his account.

“I remember my father saying to me when I was still a callow youth, ‘Treasure the words of Maharaja Jam Saheb of Nawanagar and remember his sterling service to the county of Sussex.’ 

With that, his genial but confused demeanour became stern and momentous. 

‘But, at the same time, never forget the contribution of a man such as Mr George Brann and his partnerships with Mr C B Fry at Lords. And while you're at it, open another bottle of that fine sherry, my boy.’

The Professor's Father Takes Guard

I refreshed his glass with a generous offering of an excellent amontillado and returned to find him sleeping peacefully and dreaming, as was his wont, of fishing for trout on a chalk stream in the company of Mr Arthur Shrewsbury. 

As a result, I was never able to discover which words of Maharaja Jam Saheb of Nawanagar should be treasured. But I have treasured them nonetheless.”