"…as the chairman of cultural department of our house..." "Chairwoman," Philip Philipovich corrected her. "Would like to ask you," at this point the woman pul

"…as the chairman of cultural department of our house..." "Chairwoman," Philip Philipovich corrected her. "Would like to ask you," at this point the woman pulled out of her coat-front a few brightly coloured journals, still damp from the snow, "to take a few journals sold for the benefit of German children. 50 kopecks each." "No, thank you," replied Philip Philipovich briefly, glancing at the journals. The four indicated total amazement and the woman went the colour of cranberry juice. "Why do you refuse?" "I don't want them." "You have no sympathy for the children of Germany?" "On the contrary." "You grudge fifty copecks?" "No." "Why then?" "I don't want them." -- "The Heart of a Dog", Mikhail Bulgakov