Keats and Chapman
were driving through France endeavoring to enjoy the scenery and
customs afforded by that historic country. Unfortunately the friends' chronic lack of funds
made their travel arrangements less than satisfactory, especially for
Keats who criticized Chapman's purchase of a clapped out Citroën
Acadiane, “We would have been better off with an ass and cart; this
frightful jalopy is bound to break down.”
Chapman reproached
his companion's lack of faith in French engineering. At which point
the gear-box fell out.
A dépanneur
eventually arrived to take the defunct vehicle away. As the two
ex-tourists watched their van being loaded on to a trailer Keats
turned to Chapman and pointedly observed, “What we have here is a fourgon conclusion.”
