Kathryn: Given the HIV-positive rate in Swaziland — 29 percent among 15-19

year olds — and the general standard of Swazi pulchritude as revealed in

this BBC picture (no

offense, I’m sure they are all very, very nice girls), these stories bring

to mind what the coal miner told George Orwell in reference to a different

king, His Britannic Majesty George V: “I’d rather tup my missus than

his’n.”

[George V was married to Mary of Teck, image here

To Wodehouse fans, the adjective “scaly” will come to mind.]

[And, no, “tup” is not a rude word. It’s in Shakespeare, so it can’t be.]