MR. NICHOLAS (271 pp.) Thomas HindeFarrar, Sfraus & Young ($3).
Mr. Nicholas was a tyrant, but it is doubtful that he knew it. Living a life of pointless leisure in a London suburb, Nicholas was always searching for objects to attack. His three quailing sons, his disspirited wife, even the ants in his garden. At breakfast the family waited nervously for his spluttering comments on the news, alternating with loud, wet spoonfuls of porridge. He started a "Defend Britain Club" to save the country from dangerous ideas and to raise the standards of cricket.
He was also a great one for man-to-man...