“I can imagine what you’re thinking – not telepathy, just a process of logical deduction. For a start, you’re reading this, so you can read, so obviously you’re educated, therefore you belong to the better sort – and I know you people like the back of my hand. You’re thinking: if he’s starving it’s his own stupid fault, because there’s always work in this man’s town; not the sort he’s used to, maybe, drooping around theatres and rich men’s drawing rooms for a few hours in the evening parroting someone else’s words”