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illimitable expectation； I began to kow…tow repeatedly with ceremonious
precision。
At this display of charitable broadmindedness an approving shout went
up on all sides。 Thus encouraged I proceeded to kow…tow with even more
unceasing assiduousness； and presently words of definite encouragement
mingled with the shout。 〃Do not flag in your amiable disinterestedness；
Kong Ho；〃 I whispered in my ear； 〃and out of your well…sustained
endurance may perchance arise a cordial understanding； and ultimately a
remunerative alliance between two distinguished nations。〃 Filled with this
patriotic hope I did not suffer my neck to stiffen； and doubtless I would
have continued the undertaking as long as the sympathetic persons who
hemmed me in signified their refined approval； when suddenly the cry was
raised； 〃Look out； here comes the coppers！〃
This； O my venerable…headed father； I at once guessed to be the
announcement heralding the collecting…bowl which some over…zealous
bystander was preparing to pass round on my behalf； doubtless under the
impressionso obtuse in grasping the true relationship of events are many
of the barbariansthat I was a wandering monk； displaying my reverence
for the purpose of mendicancy。 Not wishing to profit by this offensive
misapprehension； I was preparing to rise； when a hand was
unceremoniously laid upon my shoulder； and turning round I saw behind
me one of the official watcha class of men so powerful that at a gesture
from their uplifted hands even the fiercest untamed horse will not
infrequently stand upon its hind legs in mute submission。
〃Early morning salutations；〃 I said pleasantly； though somewhat
involved in speech by my exertion （for these persons are ever to be treated
with discriminating courtesy）。 〃Prosperity to your house； O energetic
street…watcher； and a thousand grandsons to worship their illustrious
ancestor。〃
〃Thanks；〃 he replied concisely。 〃I'm a single man。 As yet。 Now then；
will you make a way there？ Can you stand？〃
〃Stand？〃 repeated this person； at once recognising one of the important
words of inner meaning concerning which he had been initiated by the
versatile Quang…Tsun。 〃Certainly this person will not hesitate to establish
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THE MIRROR OF KONG HO
his footing if the exaction is thought to be desirable。 Let us； therefore；
bend our steps in the direction of a tea…house of unquestionable propriety。〃
〃You've bent your steps into quite enough tea…houses； as you call them；
for one day；〃 replied the official with evasive meaning； at the same time
assisting me to rise （for it need not be denied that the restrained position
had made me for the moment incapable of a self…sustaining effort）。 〃Look
what you've done。〃
At the direction of his glance I cast my eyes along the street； east and
west； and for the first time I became aware that what I had last seen as a
reasonable gathering had now taken the proportions of an innumerable
multitude which filled the entire space of the thoroughfare； while others
covered the roofs above and protruded themselves from every available
window。 In our own land the interspersal of umbrellas； musical
instruments； and banners； with an occasional firework； would have given a
greater animation to the scene； but with this exception I have never taken
part in a more impressive and well…extended procession。 Even while I
looked； the helmets of other official watchers appeared in the distance； as
immature junks upon the storm…tossed Whang…Hai； apparently striving
fruitlessly to reach us。
As I was by no means sure what attitude was expected of me； I smiled
with an all…embracing approval； and signified to the one at my side； by
way of passing the time pleasurably together； that the likelihood of his
nimble…witted friends reaching us with unruffled garments was remote in
the extreme。
〃Don't you let that worry you； Li Hung Chang；〃 he said； in a tone that
had the appearance of being outside itself around a deeper and more bitter
significance； 〃if we get out again with any garments at all it won't be your
fault。 Why； youwell； YOU ought to have been put on the Black List long
ago； by rights。〃
This； exalted one； although I have not yet been able to learn the exact
dignity of it from any of the books of civil honours； is undoubtedly a mark
of signal attainment； conferred upon the few for distinguishing themselves
by some particular capacity； as our Double Dragon； for instance。 Anxious
to learn something of the privileges of the rank from one who evidently
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was not without influence in the bestowal； and not unwilling to show him
that I was by no means of low…caste descent； I said to the official； 〃In his
own country one of this person's ancestors wore the Decoration of the
Yellow Scabbard； which entitled him to be carried in his chair up to the
gate of the Forbidden Palace before descending to touch the ground。 Is this
Order of the Black List of a like purport？〃
〃You're right；〃 he said； 〃it is。 In this country it entitles you to be
carried right inside the door at Bow Street without ever touching the
ground。 Look out！ Now we shall not〃
At that moment what this person at first assumed to be a floral tribute；
until he saw that not only the entire plant； but the earthenware jar also
were attached； struck the official upon the helmet； whereupon； drawing a
concealed club； he ceased speaking。
How the entertainment was conducted to such a development this
person is totally inadequate to express； but in an incredibly short space of
time the scene became one of most entrancing variety。 From every visible
point around the air became filled with commodities whichthough
doubtless without set intentionfittingly represented the arts；
manufactures； and natural history of this resourceful country； all cast in
prolific abundance at the feet