British at Their Best
Before I pass on this gossip I must confess that I've made no attempt to check its authenticity. It happened some time ago when the Queen was lunching at Trinity College, Oxford, with a num- ber of distinguished people, including Mr. Mac- millan. A local peer fainted into the lap of his neighbour. He was laid out on the floor behind the high table, and a medical academic loosened 'D'you think I'm ready to take my place in Life's multi-coloured pageant yet, Father?'
.• • his collar. A very important person was heard to say, 'Don't look: I think he's dead.' The peer's wife, alarmed by this, insisted on looking. She too then had to be laid out, beside her hus- band. Everyone went on calmly eating. A little later the peer and his wife both began to revive. Each sitting up at the same moment, they cracked their heads together and fell back into uncon- sciousness. Then a crash was heard from the far end of the table. The Prime Minister, curious to see what was going on, had been half-rising to get a better view. Each time, the steward standing behind him had dutifully pulled back his chair. On the last occasion he failed to replace it, and the Prime Minister thundered to the floor, whence he rose with the remark: 'I knew Balliol men were not liked in Trinity, but I did not know they were so unpopular.' Finally, an aged and respected college servant, brought out of retire- ment for the occasion, dropped a full tray champagne glasses. As Sir Isaiah Berlin (they was heard to remark: this was one of tl occasions when the British are seen at their t ctS I hope there are some words of truth in it.
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