3 JANUARY 1998, Page 45

No. 2017: Apology

With this as a title, you are invited to incor- porate the following 17 words consecutive- ly and entertainingly either in a piece of blank verse, the words being used at the ends of lines, or in a piece of prose (maxi- mum 150 words): murderer, demireps, books, keep, aside, line, shrink, broad, knave, between, find, scandalised, explain, disbe- lieves, way, time, tact. Please underline the key words. Entries to 'Competition No. 2017' by 16 January.