John William Waterhouse Destiny 1900 painting

John William Waterhouse Destiny 1900 paintingJohn William Waterhouse Crystal Ball paintingEdgar Degas Dancers in Blue painting
Any kid would have thrilled to the idea that he could submit a list of wanted items as extensive as he wished and that he would receive on Christmas morning everything he requested, precisely those items, nothing less, but nothing more. Yet it seemed to Ethan that this robbed Christmas morning of its delicious suspense and even of some of its magic. As this would be his first Christmas at Palazzo Rospo, he had approached Mrs. McBee in her office off the kitchen to gifts among themselves because there are so many of us that shopping would take too much time and would impose a financial burden—”“That’s in Standards and Practices as well.”“I am flattered that you have it so well memorized. Then you’ll also know that the staff is kindly forbidden from presenting gifts to members of the family, primarily because the family is fortunate enough to have everything it could want, but also because Mr. Manheim inquire as to the protocol of leaving an unexpected gift under the tree, for Fric.[281] “God bless you, Mr. Truman,” she had said, “but it’s a bad idea. Not quite as bad as shooting yourself in the foot to observe the effect of the bullet, but nearly so.”“Why?” he had wondered.“Every member of the staff receives a generous Christmas bonus, plus a small item from Neiman Marcus or Cartier, of a more personal nature—”“Yes, I read that in your Standards and Practices,” Ethan had said.“And staff members are thoughtfully forbidden to exchange