Getting on With the Nobility

Gaius was still on his favourite subject as the president tried to steer him through the door.

Now fluorspar, said Gaius, is one of the most beautiful and highly valued of rock crystals.

Yes, yes, said the president. Mind the step!

Pompey introduced fluorspar bowls and cups to Rome after his victory over Mithridates, Gaius continued. After that it grew in popularity. Why, an ex-consul paid 70,000 sesterces for a fluorspar cup which held only three pints! He was so enamoured of it he used to chew the rim. Yet this damage only increased its value.....

You don't say, said the president. Well, well. Fluorite or fluorspar as you call it is certainly a very colourful rock crystal.

I believe, said Gaius, that it may be one day be found in Antarctica in some quantity.

You do? said the president, astonished.

I do, said Gaius. So you see, I am not the only one whose knowledge is sometimes out of date...

Goodness me! said the president.

The VeloDrone and Le Bon David had reached the bottom of the steps as well. They sloped off into the dark in the opposite direction to Gaius and the president.

Hee hee! sniggered The VeloDrone. They won't get rid of him now.

No, agreed Le Bon David. But they didn't seem too keen on us.

Pooh! said The VeloDrone. Who cares! Their biscuits were less than ordinary. However, strangely, I find I have a taste for evening lectures. Perhaps we ought to look out for something more suited to our interests.

Funny you should say that Vello, said Le Bon David. I hear that Baroness Susan Greenfield is going to give a talk on human consciousness at Saint Peter's College tomorrow evening. Would you like to go to that?

Baroness, you say! said The VeloDrone. I always used to get on well with the nobility. Yes, indeed, let's attend her lecture.