And the cry rings out, “A.P. did it!” I think he’d be tickled. It’s an honor bestowed on each and every one of us on our way down to the cemetery. A.P. built most of the houses on the island. For 40 years he was the town builder, mason, plumber, architect, electrician and building inspector. Since his death he has become solely responsible for every single piece of bad building ever perpetrated on this rock. He has singlehandedly absolved every one of us of our sins. He is a saint, the patron saint of scapegoats.

Somewhere on a chain of islands off Martha’s Vineyard:

You may recall the headline of last March 6: “Angry Island Mob Attacks Bird Watcher; Injuries Result.” Angry? Probably not. Mad? Absolutely. Elvin Jane, the birdwatcher in question, visited the island again last week and we pretty much got things straightened out.