B1013 <=> B1015 [BTG XLII Beelzebub in America, p. 1014]

“’”On the day, peculiarly blessed for those near to me, when I became worthy to understand this truth, that is to say, when our incomparable Doonyasha finally succeeded in placing within the layers of the pie for the ‘gromwell fish soup with turbot livers’ a series of secondary layers, I understood with my whole being that this had been a great mistake on our part.

“’”First I understood this myself, and afterwards I proved it to the whole of my household, that if we have so many varied and most tasty dishes during Lent, we are indebted only to our blessed and glorious fishes alone.

“’”During fasts and especially during Lent, our homes are made happy by the frequent visits of the:

Most Honorable ‘Sturgeon’ and the

Estimable ‘Sterlet’ and the

Respected ‘Dried Sturgeon’ and the

Ever-memorable ‘Turbot’ and

Her Illustrious Highness The ‘Salmon’ and the

Musical ‘White Sturgeon’ and the

Serenely Plastic ‘Mackerel’ and the

Eternally Angry ‘Pike’ and the

Ever-demure ‘Gwyniad’ and the

Leaping-alive ‘Trout’ and the

Beauty ‘Trioshka’ and the

Proud ‘Shamai’ and that

Worthy Personality ‘Bream,’ and all our other like

benefactors and protectors.

“’”Merely the names alone of these our givers of good and felicity are already for us the greatest gift of God.

“’”When we hear their names, our hearts almost leap within us.