But that was Cramer, agree his friends, an occasionally shambling presence who was also a keen observer, a raconteur, a baseball fan, amasterofceremonies. (He served the latter role at Pakenham's wedding.) Ward imagines him in another time, another place, holding court with some other witty friends.
But there is widespread expectation that Francis will soon name a new masterof liturgical ceremonies more in line with his priorities of bringing the church and its message of love and service to ordinary people without the "high church" trappings of his predecessor.
Behind a dazzling colonnaded facade sat a gold-and-ivory statue of Zeus, divine masterof ceremonies a stone god so huge that, had he stood up, his head would have gone through the temple roof.