"That which has been expressed," replied this person with an ungrudging toleration, "is the first or question portion of the contrast.The answer is that which will be supplied by your honourable condescension.""But," interposed one of the maidens, "it isn't really a question, you know, Mr.Kong.""In a way of regarding it, it may be said to be question, inasmuch as it requires an answer to establish the comparison.The most pleasing answeris that which shall be dissimilar in idea, and yet at the same time maintain the most perfect harmony of parallel thought," I replied."Now permit your exceptional minds to wander in a forest of similitudes: 'The Phoenix embroidered upon the side of the shoe: When the shoe advances the Phoenix leaps forward.'""Oh, if that's all you want," said the one Herbert, who by an ill destiny chanced to be present, "'The red-hot poker held before the Cat's nose: When the poker advances the Cat leaps backwards.'""Oh, very good!" cried several of those around, "of course it naturally would.Is that right, Mr.Kong?""If the high-souled company is satisfied, then it must be, for there is no conclusive right or wrong--only an unending search for that which is most gem-set and resourceful," replied this person, with an ever-deepening conviction of no enthusiasm towards the sit-round game."But," he added, resolved to raise for a moment the canopy of a mind swan-like in its crystal many-sidedness, and then leave them to their own ineptitude, "for five centuries nothing has been judged equal to the solution offered by Li Tang.At the time he was presented with a three-sided banner of silk with the names of his eleven immediate ancestors embroidered upon it in seven colours, and his own name is still handed down in imperishable memory.""Oh, do tell us what it was," cried many."It must have been clever." "'The Dragon painted upon the face of the fan: When the fan is shakenthe Dragon flies upwards,'" replied this person.
It cannot be denied that this was received with an attitude of respectful melancholy strikingly complimentary to the wisdom of the gifted Li Tang.But whether it may be that the time was too short to assimilate the more subtle delicacies of the saying, or whether the barbarian mind is inherently devoid of true balance, this person was panged most internally to hear one say to another as he went out, "Do you know, I really think that Herbert's was much the better answer of the two--more realistic, and what you might expect at the pantomime." *A like inability to grasp with a clear and uninvolved vision, permeates not only the triviality of a sit-round game but even the most important transactions of existence.Shortly after his arrival in the Island, this personwas initiated by the widely-esteemed Quang-Tsun into the private life of one whose occupation was that of a Law-giver, where he frequently drank tea on terms of mutual cordiality.Upon such an occasion he was one day present, conversing with the lesser ones of the household--the head thereof being absent, setting forth the Law in the Temple--when one of the maidens cried out with amiable vivacity, "Why, Mr.Kong, you say such consistently graceful things of the ladies you have met over here, that we shall expect you to take back an English wife with you.But perhaps you are already married in China?""The conclusion is undeviating in its accuracy," replied this person, unable to evade the allusion."To Ning, Hia-Fa and T'ain Yen, as the matter stands.""Ning Hia-Fa An T'ain Yen!" exclaimed the wife of the Law-giver pleasantly."What an important name.Can you pardon our curiosity and tell us what she is like?""Ning, Hia-Fa AND T'ain Yen," repeated this person, not submitting to be deprived of the consequence of two wives without due protest."Three names, three wives.Three very widely separated likes."At this in no way boastfully uttered statement the agreeably outlined surface of the faces around variated suddenly, the effect being one which I have frequently observed in the midst of my politest expressions of felicity.For a moment, indeed, I could not disguise from myself that the one who had made the inquiry stretched forth her lotus-like hand towards the secret spring by which it is customary to summon the attending slaves from the underneath parts, but restraining herself with the manner of one who would desire to make less of a thing that it otherwise might seem, she turned to me again.
"How nice!" she murmured."What a pity you did not bring them all with you, Mr.Kong.They would have been a great acquisition.""Yet it must be well weighed," I replied, not to be out-complimented touching one another, "that here they would have met so many fine and 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 letyou 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.
