the mirror of kong ho(空赫的镜子)-第11节
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
barrier of dissent。 If I wished to adorn a tomb； he added （evading the
deeper significance of the act）； there was that of Goldsmith within its
Temple； upon which many impressionable maidens from across the Bitter
Waters of the West make it a custom to deposit chaplets of verses； in the
hope of seeing the offering chronicled in the papers； and in the Open
Space called Trafalgar there were the images of a great captain who led
many junks to victory and the Emperor of a former dynasty； where
doubtless the matter could be arranged； but the surrounding had by this
time become too involved； and this person had no alternative but to smile
symmetrically and reply that his words were indeed opals falling from a
topaz basin。
Later in the day； being desirous of becoming instructed more definitely；
I addressed myself to a venerable person who makes clean the passage of
the way at a point not far distant。
〃If you have no sons to extend your industrious line；〃 I said； when he
had revealed this fact to me； 〃why do you not adopt one to that end？〃
With narrow…minded covetousness； he replied that nowadays he had
enough to do to keep himself； and that it would be more reasonable to get
some one to adopt HIM。
〃But；〃 I exclaimed； ignoring this ill…timed levity； 〃who； when you have
Passed Beyond； will worship you and transmit to your spirit the necessities
of life？〃
〃Governor；〃 he replied； using the term of familiar dignity； 〃I've made
shift without being worshipped for five and sixty years； and it worries me
a sight more to know who will transmit to my body the necessities of life
until I HAVE Passed Beyond。〃
〃The final consequences of your self…opinionated carelessness；〃 this
38
… Page 39…
THE MIRROR OF KONG HO
person continued； 〃will be that your neglected and unprovided shadow；
finding itself no longer acceptable to the society of the better class demons；
will wander forth； and allying itself in despair to the companionship of a
band of outcasts like itself； will be driven to dwell in unclean habitations
and to subsist on the uncertain bounty of the charitable。〃
〃Very likely；〃 replied the irredeemable person before me。 〃I can't help
its troubles。 I have to do all that myself as it is。〃
Doubtless this fanaticism contains the secret of the ease with which
these barbarians have possessed themselves of the greater part of the earth；
and have even planted their assertive emblems on one or two spots in our
own Flowery Kingdom。 What； O my esteemed parent； what can a brave
but devout and demon…fearing nation do when opposed to a people who
are quite prepared to die without first leaving an adequate posterity to tend
their shrines and offer incense？ Assuredly； as a neighbouring philosopher
once had occasion to remark； using for his purpose a metaphor so
technically…involved that I must leave the interpretation until we meet； 〃It
may be war； but it isn't cricket。〃
The inevitable outcome； naturally； is that the Island must be the
wandering…place of myriads of spirits possessing no recognised standing；
and driven by wanthaving none to transmit them offeringsto the most
degraded subterfuges。 It is freely admitted that there is scarcely an ancient
building not the abode of one or more of these abandoned demons；
doubtless well…disposed in the first instance； and capable of becoming
really beneficent Forces until they were driven to despair by obstinate
neglect。 A society of very honourable persons （to which this one has
unobtrusively contributed a gift）； exists for the purpose of searching out
the most distressing and meritorious cases among them； and removing
them； where possible； to a more congenial spot。 The remarkable fact； to
this person's mind； is； that with the air and every available space around
absolutely packed with demons （as certainly must be the prevailing state
of things）； the manifestations of their malignity and vice are； if anything；
rather less evident here than in our own favoured country； where we do all
in our power to satisfy their wants。
That same evening I found myself seated next to a maiden of
39
… Page 40…
THE MIRROR OF KONG HO
prepossessing vivacity； who was spoken of as being one of a kindred but
not identical race。 Filled with the incredible profanity of those around； and
hoping to find among a nation so alluringly high…spirited a more congenial
elevation of mind； I at length turned to her and said； 〃Do not regard the
question as one of unworthy curiosity； for this person's inside is white and
funereal with his fears； but do you； of your allied race； worship your
ancestors？〃
The maiden spent a moment in conscientious thought。 〃No； Mr。
Kong；〃 she replied； with a most commendable sigh of unfeigned regret； 〃I
can't say that we do。 I guess it's because we're too new。 Mine； now； only go
back two generations； and they were mostly in lard。 If they were old and
baronial it might be different； but I can't imagine myself worshipping an
ancestor in lard。〃 （This doubtless refers to some barbaric method of
embalming。）
〃And your wide and enlightened countrymen？〃 I asked； unable to
restrain a passion of pure…bred despair。 〃Do they also so regard the
obligation？〃
〃I am afraid so；〃 replied the maiden； with an honourable indication
towards my emotion。 〃But of course when a girl marries into the European
aristocracy； she and all her folk worship her husband's ancestors； until
every one about is fairly dizzy with the subject。〃
It is largely owing to the graceful and virtuous conversation of these
lesser ones that this person's knowledge of the exact position which the
ceremonial etiquette of the country demands on various occasions is
becoming so proficiently enlarged。 It is true that they of my own sex do
not hesitate to inquire with penetrating assiduousness into certain of the
manners and customs of our land； but these for the most part do not lead to
a conversation in any way profitable to my discreeter understanding。
Those of the inner chamber； on the other hand； while not scrupling to
question me on the details of dress； the braiding and gumming of the hair；
the style and variety of the stalls of merchants； the wearing of jade； gold；
and crystal ornaments and flowers about the head； smoking； and other
matters affecting our lesser ones； very magnanimously lead my
contemplation back to a more custom…established topic if by any hap in
40
… Page 41…
THE MIRROR OF KONG HO
my ambitious ignorance I outstep it。
In such a manner it chanced on a former occasion that I sat side by
side with a certain maiden awaiting the return of others who had
withdrawn for a period。 The season was that of white rains； and the fire
being lavishly extended about the grate we had harmoniously arranged
ourselves before it； while this person； at the repeated and explicit
encouragement of the maiden； spoke openly of such details of the inner
chamber as he has already indicated。
〃Is it true； Mr。 Ho〃 （thus the maiden； being unacquainted with the
actual facts； consistently addressed me）； 〃that ladies' feet are relentlessly
compressed until they finally assume the proportions and appearance of
two bulbs？〃 and as she spoke she absent…mindedly regarded her own
slippers； which were out…thrust somewhat to receive the action of the fire。
〃It is a matter which cannot reasonably be denied；〃 I replied； 〃and it is
doubtless owing to this effect that they are designated 'Golden Lilies。' Yet
when this observance has been slowly and painfully accomplished； the
extremities in question are not less small but infinitely less graceful than
