"Often, when a stranger says, 'Trust me,' a wise man puts his hand on his purse and backs away." - Matt Hughes

The combined effect of so many ambulatory sticks and balls, each of whom wore an expression of complete self-satisfaction, added strength to my longstanding belief that the profession of couturier required only a good knowledge of fabric and a malicious sense of humor.

"Very well," I said, "let us roll the pebble and get the avalanche on its way."

I realized that Chumblot’s brief had told only the official story which, as in many sophisticated societies, departed starkly from the practical facts.