Many of those who were present when the NZ Geophysical Society launched Margaret Hayes's biography of her late husband have urged that the after-dinner speech by George Eiby be published. As much that can pass for wit when spoken to a gathering prepared to laugh is shown to be poor stuff when committed to print, and the nakedness of unsupported assertion is revealed, he has agreed only with reluctance, and begs that readers who were not there will do their best to imagine what their memories cannot supply.