The discrepancy of three

A few weeks ago, as I dutifully reported in this space, I removed a very large number of books from the room in which they were shelved. The number, in fact, was 2477. During the time that the room was being redecorated and having new, and more, shelving put into it, I added two books to the collection and subtracted 22 that I didn't want - a very minor cull. When the room was done, I replaced 2457 books on the splendid new shelving and in a better order than they had been. Actually that should be in an even better order, because the order was always good. So far as I know, when the books came out of the room the number of them on the shelves corresponded to the number I have in the catalogue of them that I put together many years ago and keep up-to-date.

Alas, since replacing the books, I count only 2454, rather than the 2457 there should, according to that catalogue, be. This is not as alarming as you might think, since the discrepancy was initially four! I discovered one that I'd missed in the first count, during the second count which I'm now far along with. I'm sure opinion will be divided over how much sympathy I'm due in these circumstances, and for what, but I'd just like to say: you expect me to blog as well?!