kimono. In my hands I
carried a violin and bow. It is true I was unshaven, and through holes
in my canvas shoes protruded eight or ten toes, but what mortal can
assume to criticise such eccentricities as may be the part of godhood?

When I took my stand once more on my pedestal of mountain, I found them
patiently awaiting the nod of deity. The sun fell resplendently on my
silver storks and gold dragons and silk poppies. The lessening land
breeze fluttered the embroidery-crusted folds and splintered light from
my person. I listened with satisfaction to the incoherent sound that
went up from many throats; a chorused gasp of profound awe and
admiration and wonderment.

I signaled my immortal readiness to receive them. As the ludicrousness
of the farce broke over me I had to bite back unsolemn roars of
laughter. A spirit of deviltry and vaudeville possessed me. As their
high priests in deadly earnest marched on all fours with faces as rapt
and fanatically sober as those of Mecca pilgrims, I drew the bow across
the catgut and, lifting my voice, proclaimed myself in ragtime.

I informed them in the words which were new only to them and solemn only
to them that I had rings on my fingers and bells on my toes, and as I
sung they became hushed with awe and approached with a deeply moved
sense of their great honor and responsibility.

When they were only a little way off, I went down to meet them, and with
a condescension which I trusted would not injure my prestige, lifted the
aged chieftain to his feet and permitted him to walk. He, however,
remained deferentially two paces in my rear. It was evident from their
straining upward gazes, that deeply as they were moved to reverence by
my own exalted spectacle, there was some greater revelation which they
awaited above. This disquieted me since I had in reserve no added climax
to offer. I had given them a display savoring of the circus but I had no
grand spectacle to advertise in the main tent after the regular
performance.

When we had reached the plateau, however, I understood and was relieved.
To me they had come kneeling, but before Her portrait they threw
themselves on their faces and groveled. They sprinkled sand and pebbles
upon their hair and their voices, even to me who understood no syllable,
carried such depth of humility and supplication as filled me with
wonder.

They would rise from their suppliance only long enough to glance at the
face of the picture, then fall