1984

           ‘Didyoueverhappentohearanoldrhymethatbegins "Orangesandlemons,saythebellsofStClement’s"?’ 

           AgainO’Briennodded.Withasortofgravecourtesyhecompletedthestanza: 

           ‘Orangesandlemons,saythebellsofStClement’s, 

           Youowemethreefarthings,saythebellsofStMartin’s, 

           Whenwillyoupayme?saythebellsofOldBailey, 

           WhenIgrowrich,saythebellsofShoreditch.’ 

           ‘Youknewthelastline!’saidWinston. 

           ‘Yes,Iknewthelastline.Andnow,Iamafraid,itistimeforyoutogo.Butwait. Youhadbetterletmegiveyouoneofthesetablets.’ 

           AsWinstonstoodupO’Brienheldoutahand. HispowerfulgripcrushedthebonesofWinston’spalm. AtthedoorWinstonlookedback,butO’Brienseemedalreadytobeinprocessofputtinghimoutofmind. Hewaswaitingwithhishandontheswitchthatcontrolledthetelescreen. BeyondhimWinstoncouldseethewriting-tablewithitsgreen-shadedlampandthespeakwriteandthewirebasketsdeep-ladenwithpapers. Theincidentwasclosed.Withinthirtyseconds,itoccurredtohim,O’BrienwouldbebackathisinterruptedandimportantworkonbehalfoftheParty.