Tax

– So, according to the calendar, we have arrived in spring. I have to say, it is not particularly spring-like outside.
– Perhaps the calendar is wrong. It happens.
– I'm not so sure it does. At least, not very often. Calendars are generally quite reliable. Correct number of days in the month, laid out in the right order: all that sort of thing is usually spot on. They can work these things out years in advance: plenty of time to check their calculations before they send them off to the printers. It is definitely spring.
– Maybe it is just a little late. It'll arrive before you know it.
– But it's quite cold out, almost wintry. And with a gale blowing at the moment, as you can tell from the eerie howling of the wind around the house. And there is a threat of snow over the next few days. Blizzards.
– It must be spring, because the Chancellor has just announced his spring budget. If there is one person who can be relied on to get his numbers right, it is surely the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
– I hadn't thought of that. You are certainly correct. The Chancellor did announce his budget yesterday.
– Was there anything exciting in it?
– Something about taxes, I think. Rather like last year's.
– Didn't he reduce the duty on beer?
– Yes. I wouldn't have thought of the Chancellor as much of a beer drinker. It just shows how you can so easily misjudge people.