Helena said: > i think that it's an extension of buddy, and not an extension of > salinger. i think the glasses inherited that kind of verbal tic from > their mother (remember bessie was 'surely the only woman in the world > who can write a letter in invisible italics') Aha, a Rosetta Stone of sorts! I had completely forgotten that bit. Yes, indeed, the Glass family is a virtual gold mind of language treasures, tics, and mannerisms. Thanks, Helena! --tim