Q: If They are, at most, dull on the grand scale., can we say that "On the grand scale of things, they're boring. "?

A: yes

Q: If Ivan, said the Russian softly, "perhaps you would not mind retiring into the next room ", can we say that "The Russian asked Ivan if he would like to go into the next room."?

A: yes

Q: If (Or at least, we hope to make this a tradition, and have got away with it for two summers so far.), can we say that "We hope this doesn't become a tradition."?

A: no

Q: If And if the editors are ever tempted to take themselves too seriously, they can always refer to Lisa Carver's hilarious essay on the differences between sensualists and sexualists--those who like talking about it and those who like doing it., can we say that "Lisa Carver is a director."?

A:
no