with scattered corrections in blue ballpoint, cancelled portion of the text on the first verso, altogether 4 pages, on two paper-stocks, the first leaf small folio (253 x 177mm) the second leaf large post quarto (253 x 203mm, "Secretary" watermark"), [1964/65], slight creasing at top left corner

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This short story from A Spaniard in the Works (pp. 52-56) about a woman who earns the suspicion of her neighbours by her incessant laughter ("...She wood larf at these, larf at thas. Always larfing she was...") is similar in structure to several of the pieces in Lennon's first book, In His Own Write. Many of Lennon's prose compositions reveal Lennon's instinctive sympathy for the under-dog by depicting an individual confronted by a hostile and conservative community. This piece also contains a typical dig at religion in which an ineffectual vicar fails completely to change Araminta's behaviour. Eventually - after eighty years - our heroine dies laughing ("...This did not help her neighbers much they had all died first, -- which was one of the many things thet Araminta died larfing off...")