Conclusion: they were mad as meat axes to a person.
(Waugh says, kindlily, “of nervous disposition”.)
The one-armed pianist Paul’s penchant for real football gets no mention whatsoever.
Here’s a snippet of conversation rumoured to have taken place late in his life in NY between PW and a friend.
AF: You want to watch the soccer Paul?
PW: Who’s playing.
AF: Austria Hungary.
PW: Who are we playing?
