"I'm a student," he said, "at the university,"

"Goodness," said Angela, impressed.

"I'm studying English."

Angela nodded encouragingly.

"And it's the long vacation and I'm doing something I've wanted to do for ages. I'm following the footsteps of Gerald Brenan," he said. Then, seeing Angela's uncomprehending expression, "The famous author."

"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I've never heard of him."

"He came to Spain before the Civil War and ...