The greatest of Frenchmen, though he was an Italian, said that history was a fable agreed upon, and you and I want to make an agreement about myself and a shell." "I don't understand you at all, sir." "Well, never mind.

Tell me how long Mademoiselle Julie is going to stay here.

I'm a great friend of her brother, Lieutenant Philip Lannes.

Oh, we're such wonderful friends! And we've been through such terrible dangers together!" "Then, perhaps it's Lieutenant Lannes and not his sister, Mademoiselle Julie, that you wish to inquire about." "Don't be ironical, Picard.

I was merely digressing, which I admit is wrong, as you're apt to distract the attention of your hearer from the real subject.