“The Confederacy of the Humbled is a close-knit brotherhood whose members travel with no outward markings, but who know each other at a glance. For having fallen suddenly from grace, those in the Confederacy share a certain perspective. Knowing beauty, influence, fame, and privilege to be borrowed rather than bestowed, they are not easily impressed. They are not quick to envy or take offense. They certainly do not scour the papers in search of their own names. They remain committed to living among their peers, but they greet adulation with caution, ambition with sympathy, and condescension with an inward smile.” (from A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles)

I wrote a preamble to this, and the beginning of an explanation—and it was deleted. I didn’t do it; it just happens. So I’m going to bed and I’ll deal with it (again) tomorrow.

After all, you know….