Beginning his speech with a story nearly 30 years old says a great deal about the writer today.

When the cheering had died down he took the microphone and began his speech.

The Emperor had begun his speech almost before the words were uttered.

The audience was entranced, as she began her speech, at two minutes to eight.

When she had recovered her breath, the mother began her little speech once more.

"Then he would begin his little speech," the official said.

The President let the expected laughter subside before he began his speech.

I will therefore begin my speech today with that.

I should also like to begin my speech like this.

The dead admiral hardly waited for them to settle before beginning her speech.