There are four hundred ninety-one entries for the letter "V" in the 1951 edition of the Merriam-Webster Pocket Dictionary-from "vacancy" to "vying." He knows them all by heart.

He sometimes recites them, almost like a mantra. At this very moment, for instance, as he is putting away the laundry.

Vacancy. Vacant. Vacate. Vacation. Vacationist.

Five pairs of socks.

Vaccinate. Vaccination. Vaccine. Vacillate. Vacuity.

Five shirts.

Vacuous. Vacuum. Vade Mecum. Vagabond. Vagary.

Five pairs of pants.

"Vagina!"

He drops the towels he had been putting away-all five of them-and spins to find a madly giggling Evey looking very pleased with herself.