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He worked well whatever the import of his work. It was not the

question "What for?" but the question "How?" that interested him.

What the diplomatic matter might be he did not care, but it gave

him great pleasure to prepare a circular, memorandum, or report,

skillfully, pointedly, and elegantly. Bilibin's services were

valued not only for what he wrote, but also for his skill in

dealing and conversing with those in the highest spheres.