Refreshments were now brought forward, consisting of the rarest fruits
from all parts of the world, served up in the most costly dishes. Mr.
John did the honors with unaffected grace, and addressed me for the
second time, saying, "You had better eat; you did not get such things
at sea." I acknowledged his politeness with a bow, which, however, he
did not perceive, having turned round to speak with some one else.

The party would willingly have stopped some time here on the declivity
of the hill, to enjoy the extensive prospect before them, had they not
been apprehensive of the dampness of the grass. "How delightful it would
be," exclaimed some one, "if we had a Turkey carpet to lay down here!"
The wish was scarcely expressed when the man in the gray coat put his
hand in his pocket, and, with a modest and even humble air, pulled out
a rich Turkey carpet, embroidered in gold. The servant received it as
a matter of course, and spread it out on the desired spot; and, without
any ceremony, the company seated themselves on it. Confounded by what
I saw, I gazed again at the man, his pocket, and the carpet, which was
more than twenty feet in length and ten in breadth, and rubbed my eyes,
not knowing what to think, particularly as no one saw anything
extraordinary in the matter.

I would gladly have made some inquiries respecting the man, and asked
who he was, but knew not to whom I should address myself, for I felt
almost more afraid of the servants than of their master. At length I
took courage, and stepping up to a young man who seemed of less
consequence than the others, and who was more frequently standing by
himself, I begged of him, in a low tone, to tell me who the obliging
gentleman was in the gray cloak. "That man who looks like a piece of
thread just escaped from a tailor's needle?" "Yes; he who is standing