Beelzebubs-Tales-to-His-Grandson-by-G-I-Gurdjieff

"His Noble Excellency himself, with a friendly smile, though with a shadeof what is called 'hauteur,' characteristic of the power-possessing beings ofthat community, came toward me, at the same time inspecting with greatcuriosity the antiques that were in my room and, shaking my hand in a specialway by the wrist, he sat down in my favorite armchair."Afterward, continuing to eye the antiques, he said:'In a day or two you will be presented to His August Majesty, and sinceit is I who attend to these affairs, I have come to explain to you what youmust do and how you must behave on such a great and important occasion ofyour life. '"Having said this, he suddenly stood up and went over to a porcelainfigure of ancient Chinese workmanship which stood in a corner of my room,exclaiming with impulsive rapture that thrilled his whole presence. 'Howcharming! . . Where did you get this marvel of ancient wisdom . .?'"And without taking his eyes off this figure and, giving himself up to hisrapture or, more strictly speaking, with all his feelings coursing through him,he continued:" 'I am very much interested myself in all ancient art, but chiefly in theChinese, and that is why, of the five rooms set aside for my collection, threeare filled solely with ancient Chinese works.'"Continuing to speak in this strain about his adoration for the works ofancient Chinese masters, he unceremoniously sat himself down again in myarmchair and began to enlarge upon antiques in general, their value, andwhere they are to be found."All at once, in the middle of this conversation, he hastily took his watchfrom his pocket, automatically glanced at it, sprang to his feet, andexclaimed:" 'How vexing! I am obliged to interrupt our extremely interesting chat, asI must hurry home where a great friend