I WAS rather pleased that I instinctively got the plural of persona non grata with reference to the letter engendered by P Roe’s letter, commented on by A R Appleby (Letters, March 29). My husband and I are still enjoying his in absentia joke at the end.

A satisfying conclusion to an exchange best left, on the saddest of Brexit days, in the spirit of Virgil (even though he would be considered an Italian today): ne cede malis.

Dot Nicholson, Grange Garth, York