Words I Wish I’d Written: Misery

Sergeant Colon was a picture of misery, drawn on a lumpy pavement in bad crayon on a wet day.

— Terry Pratchett, The Fifth Elephant. Colon, a life-long sergeant, has just been informed that he’s being promoted to acting captain. It will not Go Well, and fans of The Caine Mutiny will do well to keep an eye on the sugar cubes.