today menand was talking about hans holbein the younger's "the ambassadors" in relation to henry james when he heard some giggling at the back. "what's the matter?" he asked the offending students.

jacob.: it's just that richard and i have a pact to remind each other every day that we are going to die.
richard: you see we thought we should bring back the memento mori.
marcella: i think this is especially important in graduate school.
menand: that is a very good thing you have started. carry on.