August 18
Self-love is the most skilful of all flatterers; it lays a fog over our motives that only those can see through who suspect it in themselves.
Maxims (freely rendered)
Three Pounds
Self-love is the most skilful of all flatterers; it lays a fog over our motives that only those can see through who suspect it in themselves.
In the street a young woman asked Rosemary Fell for money for a cup of tea. Rosemary was already picturing how she would tell her friends about this encounter. She took the young woman home with her. She had tea and sandwiches brought, refilled the cup and promised to look after her.
Then her husband Philip came in. In the next room he asked Rosemary what she intended to do. He found the visitor strikingly beautiful.
Rosemary went to her writing desk. She took five one-pound notes from a drawer, put two back and returned to the bedroom with the rest.
Later she told Philip that the young woman had wanted to leave. She had given her some money. By then Rosemary had done her hair and put on her pearls. Finally she asked him: “Am I pretty?”
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