The jeweler sat across the table in the showroom from his returning customer, the two as comfortable together as brothers. They had long ago left the topic of whatever jewelry-related business had brought the man in, and had turned to the subject of antiques.

The man was talking about a garden fountain an antique dealer had sold for $15,000, and unbelievable price for me to comprehend, from the adjacent desk where I was listening in. The lady who bought the fountain had it completely revamped - drilled, repaired, caulked - months later in defeat, she decided it was best as a plant holder.

"I can never believe the things some people will buy," the customer said, describing some imported dish board. "It's a BOARD!! But it's an antique, and it's what they want.

"And take the dress prices those girls pay for - what is it? Debutante? Cotillion?" (We'd apparently switched from antiques to their polar opposites - 16 year old girls) "God, it's just a white nightgown. Put some beads on it, that's all it is....."