“‘Good-evening,’ said Sarkis, as soon as he perceived Hemorrhoid Jack, and offered him his hand.  ’What wind has blown you here?  Mairam, a cup of tea for our honored Mr. John.’

“‘Mr. Sarkis, do you know why I have come to you?’ began Jack.  ’The whole world is full of your praise; everywhere they are talking about you, and I thought to myself, “I must go there and see what kind of a man this Sarkis is.”  And so here I am.  Excuse my boldness.  I cannot help it:  I resemble in no way your stay-at-home.

“’I am somewhat after the European fashion, you know.  Who pleases me, I visit him quite simply.  Present myself and make his acquaintance.  Then I invite him to my house, go again to his and bring my family with me.  Yes, such a fellow am I, let them laugh at me who will,’

“‘Oh,’ I thought, ’poor Sarkis is already fallen into the net, and his family with him.’

“Meanwhile, Mairam had poured the tea, placed the cup on a tray, and Takusch had put it before Jack.

“‘Where did you buy the tea?’ he began, taking the cup.  ’When you want tea, buy it of me, I pray.  You know, I am sure, where my store is.  I can give you every desirable brand, and at low price.  The tea that cost two rubles I will give to you for one ruble ninety-five kopecks.  Yes, I will sell it to you at a loss.  Oh, what bad tea you drink!’ At the same time he began to sip and in a moment emptied the cup.  ’Be so good as to give me another cup,’ he said.  ’In the fresh air one gets an appetite.  If I am to enjoy tea-drinking, let me hitch up my carriage and drive out to the Monastery Gardens.  There, out-of-doors, I drink two or three glasses and settle for them.  Yes, such European customs please me,’

“‘May it benefit you!’ said Sarkis.

“‘Now, now, Mr. Sarkis, are you coming to my house to-morrow?’ asked Hemorrhoid Jack.

“‘I will see,’ answered Sarkis.

“’What is there to see?  If you want to come, come then.  We will sit behind the counter, drink our glass of tea, and chat.  Now and then, we will talk about European affairs, bookkeeping, news, and other things,’

“‘All right, I shall surely come.  I shall not forget.’

“’Good.  And now it is time for me to be gone, for I must make two more visits to-day,’ remarked Hemorrhoid Jack.

“‘Do they pay visits at this hour?’ responded Sarkis.  ’It must be nearly ten o’clock.  Takusch, get a light.’

“Takusch went into the room, and soon returned with a light.  Sarkis took out his watch, and coming near the light said:  ’Look, it is already a quarter to ten.’

“John looked, and at once cried out:  ’Oh, Mr. Sarkis, what a magnificent watch you have!  Where did you get it?  It appears to me to be a costly one.  Let me see it.’