Vol au vent
Akind friend in the Treasury has come up with a copy of F.F. Bovet's French Conversation for English Travellers. This, he says, will explain (and to foreigners, too) what is going on this week between the Cabinet, Lord King — the world's favourite airline chairman? — and Sir Adam (Caledonian, stern and wild) Thom- son. Bovet's bilingual phrases tell the whole story. 'It still seems rather windy' (ll y a encore pas mal de vent). 'It is much windier up there.' He seems to find it difficult to start.' What competition is in progress now?' Are there any ladies flying today?' That is a curious-looking machine (C'est un drole d'appareil). 'How many times has he been round the course?' That is rather an awkward turn.' Has there been an accident?' It is lucky he fell on soft ground' (C'est heureux qu'il soit tombs en terrain mou). 'Though he is so high uP you can easily hear the noise of his engine ca doit etre Milord Roi. 'It is getting rather dark to see what is going on.' But: `We have had a most interesting day' (line journee bien interessante). It says much for M. Bovet's foresight that his phrasebook, published in 1914, is ideally suited now for Cite et Banlieu. He may have foreseen the outcome, too. 'The monoplanes', he says. `have been very successful today.'
Christopher Fildes
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