the mirror of kong ho(空赫的镜子)-第8节
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superior gentlemen that they might have become dissatisfied with my less
than average prepossessions。〃
〃I wonder if they did not think of that in your case； and refuse to let
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you come；〃 said one of the maidens。
〃The various persons must not be regarded as being on their all fours；〃
I replied； anxious that there should be no misunderstanding on this point。
〃They； of course； reside within one inner chamber； but there would be no
duplicity in this one adding indefinitely to the number。〃
〃Of course not； how silly of me！〃 exclaimed the maiden。 〃What
splendid musical evenings you can have。 But tell me； Mr。 Kong （ought it
not to be Messrs。 Kong； mamma？）； if a girl married you here would she be
legally married to you in China？〃
〃Oh yes；〃 replied this person positively。
〃But could you not； by your own laws； have the marriage set aside
whenever you wished？〃
〃Assuredly；〃 I admitted。 〃It is so appointed。〃
〃Then how could she be legally married？〃 she persisted； with really
unbecoming suspicion。
〃Legally married； legally unmarried；〃 replied this person； quite
distressed within himself at not being able to understand the difficulty
besetting her。 〃All perfectly legal and honourably observed。〃
〃I think； Gwendoline〃 said the one of authority； and although the
matter was no further expressed； by an instinct which he was powerless to
avert； this person at once found himself rising with ceremonious partings。
Not desiring that the obstacle should remain so inadequately swept
away； I have turned my presumptuous footsteps in the direction of the
Law…giver's house on several later occasions； but each time the word of
the slave guarding the door has been that they of the household； down
even to those of the most insignificant degree of kinship； have withdrawn
to a distant and secluded spot。
With renewed assurances that the enterprise is being gracefully
conducted； however ill…digested and misleading these immature
compositions may appear。
KONG HO。
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LETTER IV
Concerning a desire to expatiate upon subjects of philosophical
importance and its no accomplishment。 Three examples of the mental
concavity sunk into by these barbarians。 An involved episode which had
the outward appearance of being otherwise than what it was。
VENERATED SIRE （whose genial liberality on all necessary
occasions is well remembered by this person in his sacrifices； with the
titles 〃Benevolent〃 and 〃Open…sleeved〃）；
I had it in my head at one time to tell you somewhat of the Classics
most reverenced in this country； of the philosophical opinions which
prevail； and to enlighten you generally upon certain other subjects of
distinguished eminence。 As the deities arranged； however； it chanced that
upon my way to a reputable quarter of the city where the actuality of these
matters can be learnt with the least evasion； my footsteps were drawn
aside by an incident which now permeates my truth…laden brush to the
exclusion of all else。
But in the first place； if it be permitted for a thoroughly untrustworthy
son to take so presumptuous a liberty with an unvaryingly sagacious father；
let this one entreat you to regard everything he writes in a very wide…
headed spirit of looking at the matter from all round。 My former letters
will have readily convinced you that much that takes place here； even
among those who can afford long finger…nails； would not be tolerated in
Yuen…ping； and in order to avoid the suspicion that I am suffering from a
serious injury to the head； or have become a prey to a conflicting demon； it
will be necessary to continue an even more highly…sustained tolerant
alertness。 This person himself has frequently suffered the ill effects of
rashly assuming that because he is conducting the adventure in a
prepossessing spirit his efforts will be honourably received； as when he
courteously inquired the ages of a company of maidens into whose
presence he was led； and complimented the one whom he was desirous of
especially gratifying by assuring her that she had every appearance of
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being at least twice the nine…and…twenty years to which she modestly laid
claim。
Upon another occasion I entered a barber's stall； and finding it
oppressively hot within； I commanded the attendant to carry a reclining
stool into the street and there shave my lower limbs and anoint my head。
As he hesitated to obeydoubtless on account of the trivial labour
involvedI repeated my words in a tone of fuller authority； holding out the
inducement of a just payment when he complied； and assuring him that he
would certainly be dragged before the nearest mandarin and tortured if he
held his joints stiffly。 At this he evidently understood his danger； for
obsequiously protesting that he was only a barber of very mean
attainments； and that his deformed utensils were quite inadequate for the
case； he very courteously directed me in inquire for a public chariot bound
for a quarter called Colney Hatch （the place of commerce； it is reasonable
to infer； of the higher class barbers）； and； seating myself in it； instruct the
attendant to put me down at the large gates； where they possessed every
requisite appliance； and also would； if desirable； shave my head also。 Here
the incident assumes a more doubtful guise； for； notwithstanding the
admitted politeness of the one who spoke； each of those to whom I
subsequently addressed myself on the subject； presented to me a face quite
devoid of encouragement。 While none actually pointed out the vehicle I
sought； many passed on in a state of inward contemplation without
replying； and somechiefly the attendants of other chariots of a similar
kindreplied in what I deemed to be a spirit of elusive metaphor； as he
who asserted that such a conveyance must be sought for at a point known
intimately as the Aldgate Pump； whence it started daily at half…past the
thirteenth gong…stroke； and another； who maintained that I had no prospect
of reaching the desired spot until I secured the services of one of a class of
female attendants who wear flowing blue robes in order to indicate that
they are prepared to encounter and vanquish any emergency in life。 To
make no elaborate pretence in the matter this person may definitely admit
that he never did reach the place in question； norin spite of a diligent
search in which he has encountered much obloquyhas he yet found any
barber sufficiently well equipped to undertake the detail。
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Even more recently I suffered the unmerited rebuke of the superficial
through performing an act of deferential politeness。 Learning that the
enlightened and magnanimous sovereign of this country was setting out on
a journey I stationed myself in the forefront of those who stood before his
palace； intending to watch such parts of the procession as might be fitly
witnessed by one of my condition。 When these had passed； and the chariot
of the greatest approached； I respectfully turned my back to the road with
a propitiatory gesture； as of one who did not deem himself worthy even to
look upon a being of such majestic rank and acknowledged excellence。
This delicate action； by some incredible process of mental obliquity； was
held by
