1.   Frankly, dear readers, I was getting bored waiting for the graphs to get to the point of maximum excitement.

2.   And I will leave it to you, dear reader, to make a choice.

3.   And take note, dear reader, that some Washington mysteries have nothing to do with doctored tapes and shadowy exchanges of campaign money.

4.   And you, dear reader, may do likewise.

5.   Can you, dear reader, not see why the trail that day was not long and arduous?

6.   Dear readers, I am so sorry.

7.   Dear reader, this is my last regular column until January.

8.   Look at yourself, dear reader.

9.   Needless to say, dear readers, the prospect filled me with fear.