“ ‘Dear Sir:

“ ‘I have seen your infamous article. It is a cruel and disgusting libel. I wish to state publicly that I had nothing to do with the death of Emily Gaunt; that so far as I know no suspicion does rest upon me here or elsewhere; and that, if indeed there is suspicion, it is not in the minds of anyone whose opinion I value, and I can therefore ignore it. In any case I should prefer to do without your dirty assistance.’ ”

“Can’t say ‘dirty’⁠—can we?” said John.

“Why not? They are dirt⁠—filth⁠—muck! Well, then⁠—put ‘dishonouring’⁠—‘your dishonouring assistance.’ Go on: