A Family Funeral

摘要

Yesterday, after a brief rest at the Astoria Hotel, I went to the cathedral where the burial ceremony will take place. The interior was a beehive of activity. Carpenters, electricians, masons, cleaning people busily dashing around. I felt quite at home, almost as if I were directing the redecoration of my house. They were changing the lighting of the old imperial tombs. "Much better now," I offered. To be able to nose around, ask questions and occasionally give advice—how odd.