Sir, Having given generously to a collector from the Salvation Army who had visited their house, one of our friends had to call their over-enthusiastic dog, which was setting off down the garden path, with the words: “Come back, Cinna” (letters, June 17 and 22)
MICHAEL GAINE
Saffron Walden, Essex
From Mr Peter Kinsley
Sir, The great painter Francis Bacon used to recall how he called in to his friend and playwright Billy Ingram’s family home in Wales when he happened to be in the area.
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Ingram’s mother opened the door and said: “It’s in here,” before leading Bacon to the cupboard under the stairs, and trying to push him in.
Mrs Ingram repeated “It’s in there,” and added: “Have you got a torch?”
The puzzled painter told the woman “I’m Francis Bacon, a friend of your son, Billy,” to which she responded: “Oh, sorry, I thought you’d come to read the gas meter.”
PETER KINSLEY
peter.kinsley@ntlworld.com
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From Miss Sarah McCulloch
Sir, Mr Martin Soley, collecting for charity, limits the time spent waiting at each house for the door to be answered (letters, June 22).
Maybe if he did bother to wait up to three minutes for someone to answer the door, he might receive a few more donations.
SARAH McCULLOCH
Chelmsford, Essex