Several people have tried to comment on the mysterious "ghost post" below. This post was to have been a draft. It made it public (somehow) and when I deleted it it wouldn't go away. I guess I should consider that a matter of providence and thank everyone for the very kind notes they have sent regarding it. I'm hoping a subsequent post will actually exorcise it, and with it some part of my embarrassment. Frankly, this is a mortification I could do without.
Later: Hurrah for the triumph of bell, book, and candle.