Of more importance are Wang Wei's descriptions of landscapes, particularly those at his country home at Lan-t'ien southeast of Ch'ang-an.

• Fagin, I'm waiting.
• Waiting, my dear? What for?
• Bill will give you what for if you don't fork out.

— I'll have the chicken please.

At one point McGregor had coughed and the skinny drink of water involuntarily slid his chair back from the table.