Sir.—In the letter by Dr Shaw (Am J Dis Child 131:816, 1977) regarding fifth disease, he refers to a John [sic] Branch Cabell "character who was admitted to heaven because he claimed to be Pope John XXI, only to be kicked out when it was discovered that there never was a Pope John XX." His recollection is in error. Jurgen was able to talk his way into heaven by claiming to be this Pope John XX who never was since by an error of reckoning Pedro Juliani was mistakenly named Pope John XXI, as stated in the cantrap given to Jürgen by the master philologist. Moreover, Jugen was not kicked out but was personally escorted by St Peter to a private door (fourth dimensional?) through which one could pass to any place one wished. True he was "thrust through," but only because he had kept St Peter gossiping too