单选题
An embarrassing experience
It was the small hours of the morning when we reached London Airport. I had cabled London from Amsterdam, and there was a hired car to meet, but there was one more unfortunate happening before I reached my flat. In all my travels I have never, but for that once, been required by the British customs to open a single bag or to do more than state that I carried no goods liable to duty. It was, of course, my fault; the extreme tiredness and nervous tension of the journey had destroyed my diplomacy. I was, for whichever reason, so tired that I could hardly stand, and to the question, "have you read this?" I replied with extreme foolishness,"Yes, hundreds of times. "
"And you have nothing to declare?"
"Nothing. "
"How long have you been out of this country?"
"About three months. "
"And during that time you have acquired nothing?"
"Nothing but what is on the list I have given you. "
He seemed momentarily at a loss, but then he attacked. The attack, when it came, was utterly unexpected.
"Where did you get that watch?"
I could have kicked myself. Two days before, when playing water games with a friend in the bath, I had forgotten to take off my ROLEX OYSTER, and it had, not unnaturally, stopped. I had gone into the market and bought, for twelve shillings and six pence, an ugly time piece that made a strange noise. It had stopped twice, without any reason, during the journey.
I explained, but I had already lost face. I produced my own watch from a pocket, and added that I should be grateful if he would confiscate the replacement.
"It is not a question of confiscation," he said, "there is a fine for failing to declare dutiable goods. And now may I please examine that Rolex?"
It took another quarter of an hour to persuade him that the Rolex was not contraband; then he began to search my luggage.