NEGATIVITIES

It was neither a boat, nor an aeroplane, but a terrestrial
means of transport. It was neither the morning,
nor the evening, but midday. It was neither a baby,
nor an old man, but a young man. It was neither
a ribbon, nor a string, but a plaited cord. It was neither
a procession, nor a brawl, but a scuffle. It was
neither a pleasant person, nor an evil person, but a bad-
tempered person. It was neither a truth, nor a lie,
but a pretext. It was neither a standing person, nor
a recumbent person, but a would-be- seated
person. It was neither the day before, nor the day after,
but the same day. It was neither the gare du Nord,
nor the gare du P.-L.-M. but the gare Saint-Lazare. It was
neither a relation, nor a stranger, but a friend.
It was neither insult, nor ridicule, but sartorial advice.