* One rupee equals 5 pence and there are 100 paise to the rupee.

* Some time later, routine malaria blood-tests incidentally revealed that we had both had brucellosis: so Rachel was lucky to have recovered within three days.

* Purify and Danger: Routledge and Kegan Paul (1966).

* Many question the ethics of expensive animal relief work in a country ravaged by human suffering and I myself cannot see the point of saving the lives of unwanted animals who could be painlessly put down. However, some of my readers may feel otherwise, so here is the address to which subscriptions to the Animals’ Shelter should be sent: Mrs P. M. Skeate, 50 Pensford Avenue, Kew Gardens, Surrey TW9 4HP.