And his choice always surprised people by its unexpectedness.

Passing by the wealthy and the high-placed, he sometimes pitched upon a peasant or some decrepit old woman.

Another time he would pass over the beggars to honour some fat wealthy merchant.

Tea was served differently, too, to different people, sugar was put into some of the glasses and handed separately with others, while some got it without any sugar at all.

This time the favoured one was the monk sitting by him, who had sugar put in; and the old pilgrim, to whom it was given without any sugar.