Of what is he thinking?
A scribe might feel some not unreasonable apprehensions, when summoned thus into the presence of his superior.

The stick played a prominent part in official life, and an error of addition, a fault in orthography, or an order misunderstood, would be enough to bring down a shower of blows.

The sculptor has, with inimitable skill, seized that expression of resigned uncertainty and passive gentleness which is the result of a whole life of servitude.

There is a smile upon his lips, but it is the smile of etiquette, in which there is no gladness.

The nose and cheeks are puckered up in harmony with the forced grimace upon the mouth.