I beg your pardon?" says Howard. Freddie clears his…

““I beg your pardon?" says Howard. Freddie clears his throat, and forces himself to look Howard in the eye. "I said, I'm God." He folds his arms very tightly, and looks away over Howard's shoulder. He is plainly embarrassed. So is Howard. He is embarrassed to have embarrassed Freddie. "I'm terribly sorry," says Howard. "Can't be helped," says Freddie. "Just one of those things." "I mean, I'm sorry not to have known." "Not at all. I'm sorry I had to spring it on you like that." There is an awkward silence. Freddie fiddles with his biscuit, breaking it into small pieces, and dropping crumbs which catch in the hairy surface of his trousers. "Well," says Howard. "Congratulations." "Oh," says Freddie. "Thanks." ---------- The more Howard thinks about it, the less he knows where to look or what to do with his hands. He tries putting them behind his back and looking at the floor, smiling reflectively. Freddie is having difficulties, too. He puts his dry biscuit down, and with his left hand seizes his right elbow. With his right hand he takes hold of his chin. Then he, too, examines the floor. "On second thoughts," he says, "I don't know about congratulations. Not like being elected to a fellowship, or whatever. Wasn't open to other candidates, you see.””

— Michael Frayn